WKU Football: Five Important Things Ahead of Charlotte
After a bye week preceded by a disappointing last second meltdown at home against Marshall, WKU looks to bounce back against a team it…
After a bye week preceded by a disappointing last second meltdown at home against Marshall, WKU looks to bounce back against a team it should beat. Charlotte was a nice 45–14 win at home last year. Here’s the issue: Charlotte is so much better than last year.
They have a quarterback who completes 65% instead of 47% of his passes. They have a kicker making nearly 90% of field goal attempts and not missing PAT’s instead of kicking around 30% and only making 84% PAT’s. They have a Top 50 run defense and have a receiver with more yards than any 2017 receiver. Their lines are much improved.
Oh yeah, sorry. SPOILER ALERT! Those are my keys to the game.
Five Keys for Charlotte
Stay close on Special Teams
This is a developing story line from a Topper perspective. We’ve covered the Tops’ Special Teams issues ad nauseam; the punting game is consistent, but anemic. Kicking is suspect. The return game is yet to bust one longer than 37 yards. Just not very impressive.
Switch to Charlotte. Charlotte has a sure fire Freshman All-American kicker who also punts. The return game is decent, but they’ve allowed some returns on kick coverage.
The key here for the Tops is to stay close. Charlotte probably has the upper hand here, so just hold your own. Don’t boink it off the crossbar from 25 yards out. Don’t allow a huge return. Don’t shank a punt. Take care of business and Charlotte will have a tough time scoring enough to beat you.
Find a Way to Run the Ball
I don’t care if you have 300 yards rushing. That obviously would help, but if Steven Duncan is your starter, how are you going to run the ball? Can you trust him to read the defensive end on a read option? If it’s Davis Shanley, he’s probably going to open up the run game more. If it’s Eckels, he’s going to add a run dimension, as well.
Both of these teams are below average running the ball this year overall. However, Charlotte has a legitimate horse in Benny LeMay who averages over 80 yards per game. WKU runs by committee. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how it’s done, because Sanford will trot out a mysterious rotation from week to week. Running the ball decently takes pressure off late in the game. Whether you’re ahead or behind, if it’s established that the Toppers just can’t get a first down on the ground, the pressure is on the inexperienced quarterback (whoever it is) to go make a play. Just find a way to run the ball, or you could absolutely lose solely because of this liability.
Stop Victor Tucker
Charlotte has one receiver with more than one touchdown and more than 35 yards receiving per game: He is, by himself, one-third of the 49er passing attack. Stop this guy, and how does Charlotte threaten the Tops through the air? Charlotte barely musters 200 passing yards and Victor Tucker gets 75 of those yards. I really have a tough time seeing a Charlotte victory without at least 200 yards passing.
Charlotte is a possession-spread team with no receiver averaging more than 15 yards a catch. Press often (but not always), shade towards Tucker, and force the quarterback to throw down the field. Make them uncomfortable and dare them to throw it deep with an offensive line that will allow significant pressure. They like to move methodically, so force them to play a different style.
Win the Trenches
More than most games, this will probably determine the outcome. Western’s abysmal 2017 offensive line dominated Charlotte’s defensive front. Consequently, the Hilltoppers ran roughshod. Both lines on both teams are improved, but porous. WKU has had some injuries up front offensively. How do they overcome the nicks and bruises?
This battle will determine rushing totals, negative plays, passing lanes, and possibly cause some turnovers. WKU probably should come out ahead here. The Tops have more sacks for and have given up less than Charlotte. If this battle is even, or if it is in Charlotte’s favor, WKU is in major danger.
Possess the Ball
Let me drop this knowledge nugget for you: You can’t win without touching the football. Charlotte possesses the football for 36:31 per game. WKU is lucky to hold possession for half of the game.
Without question, keeping Charlotte off the field as often as possible is important. If I’m Clayton White, I would almost rather give up some quick scores to have more time to hold the ball offensively. Why does Charlotte stay in more games this year? They take pretty good care of the ball, move slowly down the field, limit mistakes, find hidden yardage and points, and find ways to get off of the field on third and fourth down defensively.
Time of Possession will indicate turnovers, running success, and style of play. If Charlotte holds the ball for 40 minutes, how does WKU physically have enough time to score three or four touchdowns?
Overall Key to the Game: Play Well and Win Up Front
Seriously, is it that hard to do be physical and play winning football? Let’s keep it real: This is a game WKU should win. WKU has consistently been inconsistent. With three of the four losses by a total of nine points in games WKU surrendered the final lead no earlier than 5:16 left in the third quarter, WKU just needs to execute in big moments.
When the Tops have an opportunity, take it. When in the red zone, hold the opponent to a field goal, and offensively, go get six. If it’s third-and-long, that drive needs to end in a punt or a field goal attempt.
WKU needs to own the trenches Saturday. If the Tops don’t win up front, Charlotte has enough skill and talent to win if they’re given the opportunity.