WKU Football: Gameday Information vs. Charlotte
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final…
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final record. With a team that many thought could compete for a conference championship, the Tops finished in the middle of the pack.
However, with a momentous offseason with tons of huge “gets” and “coups”, the most significant of which were Houston Baptist transfer quarterback Bailey Zappe signing with the Tops and superstar defensive end DeAngelo Malone deciding to forego a realistic shot at the NFL and stay on campus for a fifth year, the Tops seem poised to be a legitimate threat to make a title run.
Fast forward through seven games now. WKU is 2–1 in conference and in a four way tie for first. WKU is 3–4 after winning its last two against inferior opponents. WKU’s most recent win at FIU continues a streak of two games in conference. WKU’s lone conference loss came to now-ranked UTSA. With a four way tie for first, WKU must beat Charlotte this week and likely will need to win the rest of its games.
WKU (3–4, 2–1 C-USA) takes on a quality Charlotte squad (4–3, 2–1 C-USA). Despite fairly average records, both teams bring quality on both sides of the ball. WKU’s offense is certainly the most effective single unit of both teams, but WKU’s defense is certainly the most questionable, although the defense has allowed no more than 20 the past two games. Charlotte brings the more solid approach, with an average passing game and a good running game. Defensively, Charlotte is decent, holding opponents well under 30 points per game, but the 49ers do give up significant yards.
So let’s set the stage for WKU and Charlotte, shall we?
Location
Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium
Capacity: 22,113
Set near the bottom of a steep hill, LT Smith Stadium has housed the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers since 1968. WKU renovated “The Houch” as it transitioned to the FBS, adding 7,000 more seats and moving all WKU Football Operations into the new side of the stadium, finishing construction in 2009.
Time
Saturday, October 30, 2021 3PM CST
Weather Forecast
Unfortunately, the abnormally warm Bowling Green fall looks like it is over for good. Hopefully the chance of rain doesn’t come during game time, but there is a fairly decent chance it will at least sprinkle during the game at some point. You might want to bring a light jacket for the high 50s temperatures anyway.
TV
ESPN+
Play-by-Play: Nate Gatter Analyst: Bob Belvin
Radio
Randy Lee (Play by Play), Terry Obee (Analyst), Jared Holland (Analyst), Lexi Schweinert (Sideline)
Also, you can listen to the radio call anywhere in the world on the WKU Gameday App!
Gameday Information
WKU
WKU vs. Charlotte Press Conference
Charlotte
Around C-USA
C-USA Quotes From Around the League
Betting Lines from Sportsline.com
WKU -17.5
O/U 73
ESPN.com Match-up Predictor
WKU- 84.9% Chance to win
Current Records
WKU: 3–4 (2–1 C-USA)
Charlotte: 4–3 (2–1 C-USA)
Last Time Out…
WKU is now officially in the hunt for an East Division title after beating FIU fairly easily. For once, WKU’s defense was pretty good, shutting down FIU’s very good offense for only 19 points and 290 yards. Western’s typically invincible offense struggled for much of the first half, finally clicking late and leading 17–12 at halftime. WKU went on to win easily 34–19. WKU’s offense has not been its normal explosive self of late, “only” scoring in the 30s and low 40s the past few weeks.
Charlotte started out 2021 with a bang, beating Duke at home for the first game of the year. Since that moment, Charlotte has had some up and downs, with inconsistent offense and defense. Most recently, Charlotte faced Willie Taggart and the FAU Owls, getting blasted at home 38–9. Charlotte has been inconsistent, but they’re plenty dangerous and capable on both sides of the ball. Charlotte knows if they lose this game, they’re like out of the four horse race, having already lost to FAU. WKU better be ready.
Coaches
Tyson Helton- 3rd Season- 17–15 (17–15 Overall)
Will Healy- 3rd season- 13–13 (26–34 Overall)
Series
3–1 WKU (2–0 in BG)
Last Meeting
A makeup because of COVID, WKU and Charlotte played on December 6, 2020. WKU took full advantage, winning easily 37–19 in one of its best offensive performances of 2020.
Relevant Reading
Conference USA Preseason Media Prediction
Injury Report
WKU
Questionable to Doubtful: TE Joshua Simon (foot) is still listed as questionable despite reports that he may not return this season. He has now missed every game since coming up gimpy near the end of the UT-Martin game. Does Joshua Simon even know Joshua Simon’s prognosis? Impact: Massive
Worth Mentioning: RB Jakairi Moses has been listed as out for the season, but he has played the last two games and seems to be back close to 100 percent.
Charlotte
Questionable: DB Geovante Howard (ankle); Impact: Fairly significant (15 tackles, 2 PBU in five games played)
Out Indefinitely: CB Davondre Robinson (bicep); Impact: Extremely significant; Robinson had 193 tackles in his career at ECU before transferring to Charlotte; likely would have been considered a shoe-in starter.
Excitement Level — 4
We’ll keep the excitement level at a four, simply because it’s at home, it’s Homecoming, and WKU has not played in The Houch in a few weeks. The Tops have also won two games in a row, and surely Topper fans should know WKU is in the hunt for a Conference title for the first time since 2016. So they should be extremely excited, especially for this game. This is an elimination game for Charlotte, and WKU would be in big trouble if the Tops were to lose to Charlotte.
However, WKU has no marquee wins this season, so that takes away some of the belief from casual fans. Also, with the conference realignment mess, I think most people are distracted by the big picture than consumed with the excitement of football season. That’s unfortunate for the guys on the field currently, because WKU is knocking on the door of history and everyone is busy panicking about two years down the road. But this is reality, and frankly, no one is going to get jacked up to play Charlotte unless it’s known that this is going to decide a spot in the title game. If it wasn’t at home and Homecoming and the Tops weren’t in a four way tie for first with the team they face, this could easily be a three or even a two in excitement. That’s truly unfortunate, but we need to keep it real here.
Regardless, for those that don’t know, this is a massive game that almost definitely will decide which one of these teams makes a run at a conference title. The winner of this game will be in tremendous position to contend. The other will be almost eliminated.
Go Tops!
We’ll be providing live coverage and reaction. If you made it to The Houch, please send us your best pictures from campus, tailgating, and in-game via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page and we’ll share.