WKU Football: Hilltoppers vs. Charlotte — Staff Predictions
I’m not sure which week was longer — the bye week or this past week post-UTEP, where every WKU I’ve seen is ready to jump off the ledge.
I’m not sure which week was longer — the bye week or this past week post-UTEP, where every WKU I’ve seen is ready to jump off the ledge.
What started as a perceived season-righting stretch has now turned into a stretch that will induce panic for the rest of the season, and maybe even the rest of Sanford’s coaching tenure, if it’s another struggle for the Tops.
So, how do The Towel Rack writing staff think things will play out this week?
Fletcher Keel: 3–2
I’m putting my foot down: Until I see the Tops do something, anything, of the things we keep saying we think they’re capable of, I’m not even concerning myself with that.
What we have seen is a frustrating offense, a stout defense and just enough luck to push the Tops past one undefeated side.
I think the Toppers win, but it’ll again be a game they have no business being so close in. Mike White will throw for 250-ish and a touchdown despite Sanford continuously pushing the run game. Oh, and that run game will total 70 yards or something abysmal.
Tops win, but not by much. Give me a 17–3 final score.
Ross Shircliffe: 2–3
All season long we’ve been waiting for WKU to turn the corner and put together a performance that shows the potential we all think this team has. After last week’s performance, I’ll believe it when I see it. Luckily for the Tops, they play a team that is probably even worse than UTEP.
Charlotte hasn’t looked competitive at all against any teams with a pulse and are really a one man team with quarterback Hasaan Klugh being their entire offense. His mobility scares me, especially since UTEP’s backup QB almost ran for 50 yards last week. I think he’ll be able to push a few drives into Hilltopper territory but WKU’s bend-but-don’t break defense will make him beat them with his arm and luckily that’s not his strong suit.
I think Sanford will still doggedly try to establish the run, regardless of it’s effectiveness, and that will cause this game to once again be much closer than it should. Mike White will finally pass for multiple touchdowns for the first time this season but a few mistakes keep the score closer than it should be. I’ll take a 24–10 win by the Tops in yet another win that leaves more doubt before a crucial road trip to ODU.
Jared Rosdeutscher: 3–2
So, WKU had a VEEERY bad game against one of the worst teams in the conference last week and once again, WKU gets one of the worst teams in the C-USA but at home.
I really hope that WKU can get things going this game. I, along with just about everyone else, keeps thinking WKU will get their offense to click and start rolling any time now but it still hasn’t happened yet. The offensive line is still struggling and the offense overall seems very stagnant and incapable of producing big plays. If things don’t get better with this game, look for Sanford to start making some changes with who loses their starting spot. A loss this Saturday is inexcusable.
I still look for WKU to win with it being at home AND it being homecoming week but I still don’t see them blowing out Charlotte, unfortunately. WKU’s offense has been less than stellar and I hope they prove me wrong but I predict WKU wins 24–13 at home.
Hunter Peay: 2–1
WKU looked like a team that’s really struggling last week against a winless UTEP on the road. The Tops honestly should have lost, but a win is a win (thanks UTEP kicker!). Now, they move on to face another winless team at home for homecoming. They should win very easily, right? Riiiiight? Please?
Let’s be blunt: Charlotte is a bad team this year. They lost to FCS North Carolina A&T and Georgia State, for crying out loud! Yikes!
WKU should roll in this one, but the Tops have done nothing to prove to me that they can blow anyone out. It should be a blow out, but I just can’t see that happening right now. Maybe this game will be the change? Maybe the offense will finally take a step forward? Maybe Mike White will finally get to throw the ball down field? Maybe. I’ll take WKU to win in a closer than it should be 20–7 decision over the 49ers.
Matt McCay: 1–0
Looking at the stats, Charlotte looks like a team with a good defense, and a terrible offense. They give up 31 points per game, despite being an 0–6 football team. However, they’re only scoring 12.8 points per game. They do a good job running the ball, but struggle through the air. They have several running threats that average between 40 and 81 yards per game.
WKU has found creative ways to make games interesting. They clearly can play with some decent teams, but they also nearly lost to a winless UTEP team. The Tops have yet to give up more than 23 points in any game this year, and their rush defense up until the last game has been stellar. WKU’s defense is frankly the only reason WKU is not winless.
What will be the story of the game? I think it comes down to WKU handling Charlotte’s running game, and WKU just needs to execute on offense. Once again, WKU faces a team with four sacks on the year defensively and a team that has turned the ball over habitually. To me, it completely comes down to WKU executing.
WKU wins 27–13 and leaves everyone still confused about whether they’re a good team or not.
What is your prediction for the game? Do you think the Tops maintain the course or is this the game everything clicks? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKUor on our Facebook page.