WKU Football: Bold Predictions For The 2017 Hilltoppers

We are now two days away from the beginning of the 2017 WKU football season, and while predictions have and will continue to come in all…

We are now two days away from the beginning of the 2017 WKU football season, and while predictions have and will continue to come in all shapes and sizes, the writing staff of The Towel Rack gives you their biggest, and boldest, prediction for what 2017 holds in store for the Tops.

Fletcher Keel: Mike White will establish himself as a top quarterback prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft

It’s a title and a mark long overdue for a WKU quarterback in the FBS era, but this is the year it’ll finally happen — a Hilltopper quarterback, in this case Mike White, will not only be considered a top QB prospect for the NFL draft, but will also be drafted as such (between the first and third rounds).

White threw for 4,363 yards and threw 37 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, while completing 67.3% of pass attempts. And, while his predecessor in Brandon Doughty surpassed him in every stat during his second senior year, I don’t see any way White shows a decrease in his skill or production and he catapults himself to the top of he QB draft ranks.

In fact, one mock draft (yes, there’s already some folks mocking the upcoming draft) already has White going #25 overall.

If White is able to replicate and surpass last year’s numbers this year — especially without weapons such as Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris — that should, and will, establish himself as one of the nation’s elite signal callers, and perhaps we’ll see, for the first time, a former Hilltopper truly make a mark in the NFL.

Ross Shircliffe: Quinton Baker accumulates over 1000 yards from scrimmage

While most of the running back focus is on D’Andre Ferby’s ascent to feature back and Leon Allen’s potential comeback from a gruesome injury, I believe that an overlooked player that could have a bigger impact than both of them is the true sophomore Quinton Baker. Despite the fact that he’ll be suspended for the EKU game due to the fraternity fight, I believe by the end of the season, his speed will separate him from the rest of the pack.

Last season, Baker rushed for 542 yards on just 99 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry as the top back up for Ace Wales. Baker also caught eight passes for 43 yards, showing he can also be a factor out of the backfield in all facets of the game. Baker will be the lightning to Ferby’s thunder, and his health (Ferby, unfortunately, is injury prone) will cause him to be WKU’s most productive back this season. Overall, I predict Baker to rush for 736 yards on 140 carries and will also catch 32 passes for 325 yards, breaking several screens for touchdown. By the end of the season we’ll all be excited for WKU’s two headed running monster heading into 2018.

Jared Rosdeutscher: WKU is in for another 10-win year

WKU football still have rather high expectations for this season despite the loss of coach Jeff Brohm to Purdue and first year head coach Mike Sanford taking over. Personally, I love what Sanford has done so far at the Hill and, with the pieces he’s put together, I think he could have a special year this year. And, while I think there are a few question marks still on defense, I believe WKU will finish the season with at least 10 wins. If the defense plays better than anticipated, I don’t believe they’ll lose a game with the schedule they have this season. The offense should be fine but the defense will determine how great this team will be.

Hunter Peay: Toppers go undefeated, but misses the New Year’s Six

Call me crazy, but the Toppers will go undefeated. Yes, I said it. When you look at the schedule, it shouldn’t be too hard. The most difficult games will most likely be Illinois, Vanderbilt, MTSU and LA Tech. If the Toppers eek out wins over those teams, WKU should not taste defeat this season.

However, #ThePursuit17 for a New Year’s Six bowl game will end in failure as another team (most likely an AAC school) will still finished ranked above the Toppers due to strength of schedule. While I hate to say it, the AAC is just a better conference in football in C-USA despite last season’s bowl record. I think this will give a USF or a Memphis just the slightest edge to push them past the Toppers. However, if WKU destroys every opponent they face, then they may just make it into the New Year’s Six bowl game. But hey, if they don’t make it, at least we all have our Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl champions shirt to look forward to.

What is your boldest prediction for the upcoming season? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.