WKU Football: Hilltoppers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Game Grades
This is something I wanted to start doing last week, but real life got in the way and time escaped, so we’re startin’ in week two!
This is something I wanted to start doing last week, but real life got in the way and time escaped, so we’re startin’ in week two!
Or, maybe I should have waited until next week. Oh well.
Anyway, following each game (football, yes, but also planning on doing this for basketball as well) we’ll have a rundown on how we’d grade a select hand full of WKU performers. Think of it as a report card.
Some weeks will be good. Actually, most weeks will be good. Some weeks will be not so good. But everything, as usually is the case with sports writing and discussion, is subjective, and if you ever differ, for whatever reason, that’s okay.
So, without further adieu — the first set of game grades for the football season.
WKU Defense: B+
Sure, the defense allowed 38 points to an offense that’s still trying to find its footing early in the year with a couple of freshman quarterbacks, but the Tops held the Bama offense to 10 first half points (the Tide defense picked up another six), and recovered nicely after several big runs to either force Bama to punt or to settle for a field goal. It was nearly universally expected that the Tops’ D would fall off a bit in the second half, which happened with those couple of fourth quarter scores for Bama, but overall the Toppers stood tall, held their own, and gave WKU fans a reason to be optimistic as we continue the season.
Mike White: C-
It’s really, really hard to be so critical of Mike White after this game, and I really hate that I gave him this grade. Nevermind the fact that he got banged up a bit and couldn’t finish the game (although, part of me wonders if Brohm would have still made a QB switch at some point just to change things up), and the fact that he’s facing what many believe to be one of the best defenses in the country (again, look at what they did to USC last week), but White just never really looked comfortable all day. Part of me wonders if this game were played in, say, November if White would look better, or if no matter when this game was played if the Bama defense would just be too much to find comfort with.
Taywan Taylor: B-
Despite being blanketed all game and over coming a couple of drops, Taylor put together by far the best offensive day for the Tops. Taylor recorded 121 yards on nine catches and, in what might be his only chance to really shine on the national stage, made a solid impression.
Yeah, I definitely should have waited another week before starting these. But, oh well.
Again, some games will be better. I fully expect Miami to reap some different, higher marks.
So, now I turn it to you — how would you grade the Tops overall after Saturday’s performance? Do you differ with the grades given above? Who would you give a grade to that wasn’t mentioned? Let us know in a comment below, or on twitter @TheTowelRackWKU.