WKU Football: Hilltoppers vs. Ball State — Staff Predictions

I said it last week several times and I’m reiterating here — I’m trying really, really hard not to fall into the hole of despair that is…

I said it last week several times and I’m reiterating here — I’m trying really, really hard not to fall into the hole of despair that is “this season is lost for WKU.” It’s three games into the season and the Tops are a play away from being 2–1. Everything is there, it just all needs to click.

Is this the week everything does, in fact, click? Lets see what our writing staff has to say.

Fletcher Keel: 1–2

So here’s the thing — WKU played pretty well on Saturday. It’s just we’re all remembering how bad they looked in the fourth quarter, which lead to the Bulldogs’ comeback victory.

But, the point remains — WKU looked better, much better in fact, than they did against Illinois. The offensive line improved, the running game got better and the offense looked…capable. I’m here to tell yall that this team is getting there. They’re not there yet, but they’re getting there.

Now, what does that mean for Saturday’s game? Hell if I know. To me, this is another toss-up game. Ball State more than held their own against the Illini and impressed in their 20-point blowout victory over UAB. That Tennessee Tech score looks, arguably, closer than it should, but there could be any number of factors going into that.

Regardless, I think this is an entertaining game. Will it be good? Eh, I hope so. But it could be a crap show. Either way, I think the Tops put enough good together to escape with a win in another low-scoring affair. I’ll, somewhat reluctantly, take the Tops, 28–24.

Ross Shircliffe: 1–2

The first three games have been a huge letdown for WKU fans. Mike Sanford has shown his coaching inexperience and WKU is having trouble transitioning to his system. While I think the path is there for a rebound this season, I can no longer give the Tops the benefit of the doubt, regardless of how much they’re favored by in Saturday’s game.

Ball State played the same mediocre Illinois team that WKU struggled with down to the wire (24–21) and has the momentum of heading into this game on a two game winning streak. They’ve got a third year starting quarterback (Riley Neal), a 1000 yard rusher (James Gilbert) and David Elson returning to Bowling Green with a huge chip on his shoulder. I think this one will be close until the end but the nation’s leading sack artist, Anthony Wimbush, terrorizes WKU’s offensive line and comes up with a crucial sack while Mike White is driving for the win. I’m predicting Ball State 27 — WKU 24 and hope Sanford proves me wrong and turns the corner before the a very manageable stretch of the schedule.

WKU Football Notebook: Sanford, Darden and Nord Preview Ball State
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Jared Rosdeutscher: 1–2

I predicted that WKU would bounce back against a strong Louisiana Tech team last week and BOY was I wrong. Now, a week later, I will say that THIS week WKU will raise the W against Ball State…like, for real this time.

WKU honestly should’ve won against La Tech, but fell asleep offensively AND defensively. Senior dimeback Joe Brown had that beautiful interception late in the fourth quarter, but penalties late on defense is what lost the game for WKU — the worst being the targeting call that led to defensive lineman Derik Overstreet being ejected. I can say without the shadow of a doubt that targeting call was the worst one I’ve seen since the NCAA instated the rule and it needs to be fixed immediately.

While the defense had its issues, the offense still struggled at times with injuries at the running back position (Baker was carted off and Ferby never even played) and the offensive line struggling as a whole to protect White, especially on third down.

With all that being said, I believe WKU will finally break the two game losing skid and even out at 2–2 on the season. Ball State should’ve beat Illinois, which is another team WKU lost to and they dropped 51 points on UAB (granted they are in their first season back) so they aren’t to be taken lightly but honestly, if WKU loses this game, I think it would be time to be concerned. A lot of people are already panicking so another home loss would NOT be good for attendance in the future. I don’t see WKU resolving every issue they have right now, but I think White will throw more due to the questions of depth at the running back position and the offensive line will do their job and block. WKU needs to make a statement and make one now so that’s why I predict that WKU will win 28–17 at home.

Hunter Peay: 1–1

Well, last week sure was a heart breaker… However, I was pleasantly surprised by the better play-calling. The only thing to do now is to put the La Tech game behind them, learn from their mistakes, and move on to the next one. The Toppers have a big task ahead of them, sitting at 1–2 (0–1 in C-USA), welcoming in a Ball State team that is 2–1. The Cardinals are not exactly a power house, and a loss would be bad for WKU’s young season and Coach Sanford’s young coaching career. This is a match-up that should tell us even more about Hilltopper football this season. Win, and some confidence begins to come back; lose, and the wheels just might start to pop off the train.

I feel very hesitant picking the good guys for a fourth straight game. While WKU looked better against La Tech, they still have a ways to go. They’ll need to be a lot better to contend for a third-straight C-USA championship. However, Ball State has not been impressive this season either. The Cardinals are not exactly a team that is putting together a championship run in the MAC this year. Since this game is at home, I’ll go with the Toppers, 31–24 over Ball State.

How do you think the game will shake out? Will the Tops get back on track or will they see their season start with a three-game losing streak? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.