WKU Football: Gameday Information and Predictions for Week 2 Against Houston Christian
Will The Tops take HCU behind the woodshed or will we have an unexpected dogfight on our hands?
In the recap of Saturday’s win over South Florida, I said “If everything goes according to plan, the struggles of Saturday will be but a footnote by December.”
That begins this week. No more harping on the poor first quarter rush defense. No more harping on an uncharacteristically inaccurate start from Austin Reed. No more harping on Dalvin Smith’s first half drops.
Game Day Information
Game Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Time: 6 PM CT
Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium | Bowling Green, Kentucky
TV Channel: ESPN+
Betting line: N/A
We now turn our attention to a healthy Malachi Corley, a defense that should feast on an FCS program still trying to find its footing and a team looking to make a statement before they become the underdogs next week.
What We’ve Published This Week
Miss any of our coverage from this past week in the lead up to kickoff? Fear not, we have you covered.
The Towel Rack Staff Predictions
Fletcher Keel (1-0)
The Week 1 rust has been knocked off and I’m expecting a much more “routine” WKU style of game. If the Tops don’t put up points in each of their first four possessions, it’ll be a victory for Houston Christian.
I expect - perhaps “hope” is the best word - Malachi Corley to be eased into action after last week’s injury scare.
No disrespect to HCU, but Saturday is mostly about getting and staying healthy ahead of Ohio State. Of course, there’s still business to attend to this week, which WKU should do with ease, to the tune of a 55-7 win.
Jared Rosdeutscher (1-0)
HCU lit up the scoreboard in their first game, but hoping that the WKU defense can learn from some of the mistakes they made against USF, especially after they were able to put it together to take down the Bulls.
Despite WKU’s recent-ish struggles against FCS competition, the Tops will have put the USF game in the rear-view mirror and get off to a 2-0 start to the season with a win, 45-16.
Matt McCay (1-0)
Houston Christian is interesting, simply because of the connections from a few years ago, when a ton of their staff and players transferred to WKU. Most notably were OC Zach Kittley, QB Bailey Zappe (set NCAA single season record for passing yards), and WR Jerreth Sterns (another legendary season, leading the NCAA in several categories). There were others, as well, but there’s something there instead of this just being a random FCS team from Texas with no connection.
Honestly, HCU was impressive in their 66-0 stomping of Arkansas Baptist. However, Arkansas Baptist is an AWFUL (God bless their program and whatnot) NAIA school. It’s not like this was a D2 school. But how many teams in America will score 66 points in one game? How many teams’ quarterbacks could throw 80%? How many teams could hold Bowling Green Junior High to 132 total yards? So take this team seriously, folks. There’s some ability. That being said, I’m not picking anything but what it should be: An absolute massacre. Houston Baptist is a usually below average FCS team, and WKU should be ranked at the end of the season. Come on, Tops. It’s time for a statement. It’s time to roll! Western Kentucky 56, Houston Christian 3.
Devin Stewart (1-0)
The Tops throttle a weaker opponent and walk away with a packed stadium, thanks to those people who made it happen.
WKU 45, HCU 17
Josh Owens (1-0)
Last week, the Tops started the season with win vs a scrappy USF team. This week, they face an FCS opponent in Houston Christian.
Despite injuries plaguing WKU, this match-up should come easy. I expect Austin Reed to light up the score board and flirt with a five touchdown performance. The Tops will blow the doors off of the Huskies. Next up is the biggest game of the season against the Buckeyes.
WKU 56, HCU 7
Alex Sherfield (1-0)
Last week’s win over South Florida was bittersweet after shaking off the rust. This week should pose an easier battle against a Houston Christian program that was beneficial to WKU’s Zappe/Sterns days. Hopefully this week, we should see an improvement in the running game outside of Ervin-Poindexter. Could Stepp & Hutchinson have better but more efficient outputs?
Plus I’d look for the defensive unit to have a couple of big plays early to calm the offense into creating more scoring opportunities.
Give me WKU 56, Houston Christian 13.
Jacob Gary (No USF prediction)
The Toppers should roll in this one, but they can’t afford to fall asleep. HCU put up 66 points in their first game, even if it was against a weak opponent. But the Tops are the more talented team and should look to control the line of scrimmage and the game clock.
These guys will be playing with a fire, as the Tops took Zappe and Kittley from them. But as long as WKU comes out and puts their foot on the gas and never lets up it should be an easy breezy beautiful hilltopper win.
WKU 49, HCU 17
Tally Ho Tops!