WKU Football: Gameday Information and Predictions for Week 1 Against South Florida
The 2023 WKU football season is nearly upon us. How does The Towel Rack’s staff see things shaking out on Saturday?
The 2023 Western Kentucky football season is nearly upon us as the Hilltoppers welcome in the South Florida Bulls in a season filled with high hopes and even higher expectations.
Game Day Information
Game Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium | Bowling Green, Kentucky
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Betting line: WKU -11.5 | O/U 70.5
As we’ve chronicled throughout the week, South Florida enters 2023 under a new regime, with Alex Goelsh taking over a program in desperate need of a reset. Last year the Bulls finished second-to-last in the nation, allowing 41.2 points per game, and averaged less than 200 yards per game on the ground and through the air.
Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers enter a season with the most stability in key positions in quite some time: A returning QB1 and WR1 on offense and JaQues Evans returning on the defensive side of the ball.
Oh yeah, and another coaching carousel that saw Tyson Helton stay in south-central Kentucky.
Everything is coming up Hilltoppers for 2023, and the Tops have every indication going their way saying they should get off to a fast start for 2023.
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
The history of WKU season openers under Tyson Helton is strange. The Tops are 2-2 to open a campaign under Helton, having won two straight.
WKU also averages 36.5 points per game in season openers under Helton, a fine mark to be sure, but ones that include a 28-point output against an FCS team and a 21-point performance from an offense we didn’t know at the time was going to be just putrid (no offense, Piggy).
However, since Helton has established himself along the sideline and his offensive system, the Tops are 2-0, defeating UT-Martin 59-21 in 2021 and outlasting Austin Peay, 38-27, last year in Austin Reed’s debut.
This is also the first time under Helton that the Tops return an incumbent signal caller under center, meaning the growing pains on the offensive side of the ball should be minimal. Reed returns, as does WR1 in Malachi Corley, and while there are some question marks in the receiving depth, WKU’s running back room looks like it has the promise to make up for what the Tops may be missing on the outside.
USF comes in reeling, having won just four games over the last three years, and while there’s optimism about what new head coach Alex Golesh can bring to the Bulls, those changes won’t be instantaneous and the Toppers want to get off to a fast and convincing start, something every CUSA team that played last weekend failed to do, to truly establish themselves as the class of the league.
Welcome back football, welcome back fall Saturdays at the Houch and welcome back WKU’s high-powered offense. Give me the Tops, 48-21.
Jared Rosdeutscher
It feels good to finally have college football back. After seeing how the Tops were able to do last season and see them return some core pieces on offense the hype for this season is definitely real.
USF didn’t do great at all last season and even with some new players and coaches an instant turnaround for them likely isn’t going to happen, especially for the first game of the season. I think with WKU’s returning core and high powered offense versus a USF team that doesn’t know their identity yet it should be a win for WKU to start the season. I’ll take the Tops winning 41-20.
Matt McCay
Besides a March Madness with WKU in the field, this is the best time of year. Everybody is either playing or will start playing or providing us something to talk about within the next few weeks. Shoutout to the volleyball team for a Top 25 win already!
But my excitement for WKU football this season takes the cake. The Tops could be in for a special year, as long as they fill in the holes and don’t disappoint. I think your key in this one is going to be the WKU defense. I think we know the WKU offense should put up 30, but can the defense hold USF under that number? It seems like there are plenty of good players, but we don’t know much outside of the stars in terms of who’s going to be the next really good player for WKU’s defense.
Ultimately, I think WKU does about what it should do in this one: They will win, and it won’t end up being that close. USF will clearly be improved, but both teams will squander some points especially Austin Reed and leave the score line a little sparse compared to how the game felt. Also, keep in mind the running first down clock, which I think will result in significantly lower scoring across college football. I’ve got WKU 37-USF 16.
Devin Stewart
Last year at the start of the season, WKU had a new QB learning a new system. Now, WKU has an experienced QB leading a system. As long as the O-Line step up and give him time, we’re gonna have a great day. 42-28, WKU
Josh Owens
USF is currently sitting as an 11.5-point underdog on the road. WKU has all the talent to easily cover the spread and I expect them to hit the over, which sits at 70.
Austin Reed will come out fast in the first half against a USF team in a transition year under first year head coach Alex Golesh. The second half will be WKU going on cruise control, which isn’t the best idea for a team hoping to impress the national media.
However, in the end, WKU should easily hold on to the game and start the season off in a strong way. Reed will throw for three touchdowns to start the season, all to different receivers. The running game will finish strong and, collectively, should break 100 yards. A major factor that could sway the game is the turnover game. If the Hilltoppers don’t play recklessly this game should come easy.
My final score prediction: Western Kentucky 45, South Florida 28.
Alex Sheffield
The first game jitters are all over the place but I honestly think that the Tops will be fine. I’m expecting a slow start, which will cruise into the Tops feeling more comfortable.
However, I’m expecting some newcomers/transfers for make an immediate impact outside of the returning starters. Defense is a slightly huge question mark but pressure and rushing the Bulls will make a great difference just in case our offense has a frustrating start. Saturday should be a fun day at The Houch, but prepare early for a potential nail biter.
WKU 35, South Florida 24