WKU Football: Five Important Things Ahead Of Middle Tennessee
I’m really going to have a tough time not dogging on Middle this week. Take Me Out to the Ball Game, My Little Pony and the king of the…
I’m really going to have a tough time not dogging on Middle this week. Take Me Out to the Ball Game, My Little Pony and the king of the KKK. Look it up. Middle is more proud of these things than a toothless beggar earning its first paycheck. When Middle got slaughtered by Georgia, a toothless beggar was its most proud when earning its paycheck. Middle is the back fat of Nashville.
Moving along, WKU (1–7, 0–4 C-USA) takes on MTSU (5–3, 4–1 C-USA) this week in 100 Miles of Hate, the 67th edition between the two schools in football. MTSU leads the rivalry by two wins, 34–32–1. Clearly an opportunity for Middle to get a win for the first time under quarterback Brent Stockstill, this game could establish utter recent domination by WKU, or could open the rivalry back up to a very even battle.
This game is nearly always close, so what does WKU need to do to come out ahead?
How to Beat Middle:
Finish
Yeah, it’s coachspeak, and Sanford has said it over and over during this losing streak. However, what is the main difference between MTSU and WKU? Frankly, WKU is probably more talented, but Middle is 3–1 in games decided by 10 points or less. What is WKU’s record in games such as these? 1–4.
In a rivalry game, finishing is everything. Which team is a little more nasty? Which team makes that diving catch? Which team doinks a touchdown off a helmet? Which team returns the ball for a touchdown? Which team blocks an extra point? I’m referencing games in recent memory.
It would be shocking for one team to get blown out. If you’re smart and not acting with bias, fully expect this thing to go to the wire, regardless of records. That’s the smart bet.
Davis Shanley Needs to be Comparable to Brent Stockstill
Brent Stockstill is an all-time great Conference USA quarterback. He litters Middle’s record books in all kinds of statistical categories. However, he can be massively inconsistent and he is not having his best career year. Davis Shanley, when playing and healthy, is producing similar numbers to Stockstill this year. Therefore, the redshirt freshman for the Red and White must hold his own with the C-USA legend.
If WKU can pass the football, perhaps the Toppers can come up with some big enough chunk plays to pull out a thriller. If Stockstill goes for 500 yards, you can pretty much kiss an upset goodbye.
Defensive Line Play
WKU’s lines are much improved, but not amazing. MTSU’s offensive line has given up as many sacks as WKU’s on the season (21). However, MTSU’s defensive line is more prolific than Western (21–14 in sacks). Much like WKU, MTSU sacks by committee. No single player on either team has more than five sacks on the season.
If WKU can win the trenches, great, but if they can hold their own there, it really gives WKU a chance to be in it and potentially win it. Like I have mentioned, MTSU’s record is certainly better than its production.
Control Ty Lee
Ty Lee is a dangerous athlete for the Blue Raiders. A natural receiver, he also runs the ball occasionally and returns both punts and kicks. There is a reason he touches the ball so much. Thus far, Lee has been fairly benign in 2018. However, he is perfectly capable of busting loose and changing a game. WKU does not have a consistent game breaker, so it’s even more crucial to hold Middle’s special talent in check.
Don’t Get Blasted in the Third Quarter
While this is not the most important quarter, this quarter determines whether this is a blow out or a good, tight football game in either direction. Also, WKU averages losing the third quarter by six points a game. MTSU wins the third quarter by four points a game. In other words, WKU could get blown out because of the third quarter, or if WKU holds its own, maybe the Toppers could hang around enough to upset.
WKU Beats Middle If…
Players make plays and coaches don’t prevent wins. As crazy a statement as this is, WKU is probably individually more talented and deep than Middle Tennessee. However, MTSU has more experience, and has key positions filled in with veterans.
When looking at these two teams, what is the difference? Frankly, it’s coaching and experience. MTSU does not have ten plays fans are upset about from 2018 coaching decisions in games. MTSU is an older football team. WKU is one of the youngest in the FBS, and the coach has gone for it on fourth down in more situations than Rick Flair went for a party. Just stay home for the fourth down party every once in a while, Mike.
How does WKU overcome these issues? First of all, the players have to make plays, regardless of coaching. Second, the coaches, especially Mike Sanford, Jr., need to allow the players to win the game and not try to commandeer a win by upsetting the status quo. If you don’t upset the status quo like has been attempted, you simply turn the status quo completely against you. Uncle Mo trades sidelines when something important happens. If that fourth down conversion is not immediately important to you, punt or kick a field goal.
This should be an interesting football game. Four of the past six games have gone to overtime. That is the kind of games these teams play. Who knows what happens, but expect craziness. There’s a two-thirds chance it goes to overtime.