WKU Football: Hilltoppers vs. Vanderbilt — Staff Predictions
The Hilltoppers need one more win to become bowl eligible. The Commodores have lost five-straight games and need something to stop the…
The Hilltoppers need one more win to become bowl eligible. The Commodores have lost five-straight games and need something to stop the skid.
This game is far more even than it looked like it was going to be just a month ago, and we should be in for a treat.
Here are our predictions.
Fletcher Keel, 6–2
Let me take you behind the curtain a bit — when I put these prediction pieces together, I usually will put everyone’s in before I write my own, which leaves me in a weird predicament. I’m not saying I take my thoughts and/or impressions about that week’s game from the rest of the writing staff, but just about every week this season, the sentiments have been largely the same.
And that doesn’t change this week.
So, if you’ll notice, my predictions are usually much more to the point because I don’t want to be an echoing of what you’re about to read — even though I’m the first prediction, I usually tease to what’s below because at least one person has made a point that I would have.
Again, my — and our — goal isn’t to bore you, but this WKU team is pretty predictable. So, let me just say that everything I would have said, has been said (hit me up on the Twitters for the particulars, if you wish).
Anyway, this is a long way of saying I think the Tops lose, but close. It’ll be another great installment of this three-game series, and while we’ll be disappointed in tomorrow’s result, we’ll be left wanting a renewal. I don’t want to make this prediction, but give me a Vandy victory by a 35–32 final score.
Ross Shircliffe, 5–3
Last week’s meltdown still has a bitter taste in the program’s metaphorical mouth. Despite losing a game they should have won, WKU proved they have more than enough talent to compete with a team of Vanderbilt’s caliber.
Both team’s should be very hungry in this one. If Vanderbilt loses this game they can almost kiss a bowl game goodbye. I think Mike White has turned a corner and WKU has at least figured out how to protect him while passing and receivers have emerged. They should put up points, but Vanderbilt’s running game will gash a thin defensive front and an improved Kyle Shurmer have me hesitant to pick the upset. I think that WKU once again heads into the fourth quarter with every chance to win but a late game fumble will doom the Hilltoppers in a 33–30 loss. WKU fans will have to once again wait another week to find a win towards bowl eligibility.
Hunter Peay, 3–2
After a disappointing home loss to Lane Kiffin’s Owls (making WKU a long-shot in the East Division title race,) WKU takes a step out of conference play with a road match-up against Vanderbilt. Each of the previous two games have been very exciting, and I expect nothing less in this final match-up.
Both teams are dealing with tough times. As WKU deals with the set back against FAU and trying to get that last win to get bowl eligibility, the Commodores are trying to end a five-game losing streak and to improve upon their 3–5 record. The Hilltoppers should expect nothing less but Vandy’s absolute best on Dudley Field. I think this will be a tough game that will be a challenge for both the offense and the defense. The Red and White will have to play a complete game on both sides to take home the W.
If WKU competes for all four quarters, I think the Tops are more than capable of defeating the Commodores. If they don’t, we will have another disappointing loss to dissect on Saturday afternoon. As 11-point underdogs, I think the Tops pull off the upset and take home the victory in a 34–31 decision in Nashville.
Jared Rosdeutscher, 6–2
Vanderbilt comes into this game as the favorite, for once, because head coach Derek Mason needs to get some more wins as the season’s end draws closer. They have four remaining games and need at least three more wins to be bowl eligible so they can’t afford any slip ups, ESPECIALLY against a C-USA school.
WKU has hung with Vandy in each of the first two games this series and got a road win in Nashville in 2015 but lost a game they should’ve won last season but lost in double OT due to a gutsy play call that would’ve sent it into triple OT. But this year’s matchup has a quite different feel.
WKU isn’t as strong as they have been the past few seasons and despite Vandy’s losing record, they still pose a threat because of their running game. Ralph Webb is quite a threat in their backfield and their QB Kyle Shurmur has been having a great season as well.
I view this game as a must-win for Vandy and I have the Commies (uhh, I mean “Commodores”) winning at home 38–28.
Matt McCay, 3–1
Early in the season, I was picking Vanderbilt 100 percent of the time. Now, I believe WKU could absolutely win this game, but I think they need to disguise their blaring weaknesses up front.
In football, the trenches are like an old man on a porch: They’re ugly and you don’t always pay attention to them, but you know they’re there, they’re somehow right about 90 percent of the time, and tell most of the story.
I think the old man is right, and Vanderbilt is going to overcome WKU’s other strengths with superior line play. Vanderbilt beats WKU in Nashville 26–22.
Clay Francis, 0–1
Mike White meets Vanderbilt this Saturday to end the three game series between Western Kentucky and the ‘Dores. Vanderbilt has dropped five straight games, so I expect the Commodores to come out motivated to get their fourth win of the season.
Since last year, Vanderbilt has lost stud Zach Cunningham to the NFL and haven’t been able to compensate the loss. Their defense has weakened but their offense is looking good this year.
I expect this game to be one-sided. Vanderbilt put a beat down on MTSU earlier this year, which may come to the Hilltoppers if they aren’t able to stop stud running back Ralph Webb or junior QB Kyle Shurmur.
If Western Kentucky develops a run game they will be able to compete. Vanderbilt has had trouble stopping the run this season, but Western Kentucky has also had trouble blocking. I am expecting Western to slip a few touchdowns in due to Vanderbilt mistakes, but I believe Vanderbilt will pull it out 34–10.
What say you? How do you think things will shake down in Nashville? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.