WKU Football: How to Interpret WKU Football’s Future Wins and Losses
Just in case you’re unsure of how to feel about the Tops’ future results, I am spending the bye week laying out a list of predictable…
Just in case you’re unsure of how to feel about the Tops’ future results, I am spending the bye week laying out a list of predictable reactions we will all have after each result in case you forget what you’re supposed to do when your favorite hometown team wins or loses.
My wife and I were talking about this on the way home from the Marshall game (S/O to the boo thang). I believe the formula for Mike Sanford keeping his job is to get to four wins this season. Preseason expectations were between four and eight wins, right? Like it or not, we’re sheep, and we are going to feel certain ways with certain amounts and kinds of wins, regardless of how it happened.
Coming into the season, we sure hoped the team would actually look like a team with some talent and hope for the future. Well, Sanford has put a team on the field with hope. Despite starting 1–4, WKU could easily be 4–1. Frankly, with such holes at certain positions, this is a massive improvement for the Tops. However, so far, this has not transitioned to in-game success.
Let’s review:
Maine: The Tops take an early 21–0 and find a way to lose against an FCS program with a losing record last season.
Louisville: The Tops take a 14–0 lead and lead 14–3 at halftime. WKU gets outscored 17–3 in the second half in a bizarre game with tons of strange moments and some debatable decisions by referees.
Marshall: WKU forces four turnovers during the game, capitalizes on one of the four, gives up a 99 yard drive to surrender the lead, then marches all the way down the field only to fumble inside the ten yard line down three points.
Taking it all into consideration, 98% of the fan base is at least pretty upset, over half are about ready to be done with it, and an increasing number are in “#FireSanford” mode.
Fans are going to get on their nondescript sports app, look at the score, and feel something about it. I just wanted to head this off so you can save a whole lot of time, heartache and headache. Instead of figuring out how you feel, just head to this article for your all-inclusive anticipatory How To React Guide on the 2018 Football Tops.
I’ll paint the picture, and tell you how to feel about it. Here are your choices:
Blame Sanford
Appreciate Sanford
Give Sanford a Chance
Start Liking Sanford
Worship Sanford
Forgive Sanford
Just a few short tips before we get started: Absolutely ignore number 4–6 in all circumstances, and just like in a Port-A-Pot at the tailgate, only do number 2 if you really have to. Maybe hover on a number 2 and move on. Number 3 is in an emergency. Otherwise, just go number 1 at will.
You’re welcome.
How to React…
at Charlotte:
If WKU wins by a large margin, feel some slight relief, but don’t get your hopes up. The 49ers stink. It’s Sanford’s fault we didn’t score 50. Blame Sanford.
If Dear Old Western wins by a few points, thank the big man upstairs and pray they can find a way at home against an apparently dangerous ODU team. Blame Sanford.
If the Tops manage to lose, freak out like you just got cheated on. I mean, seriously I can’t imagine the message boards if WKU loses in any fashion to Charlotte. Definitely Blame Sanford.
vs. ODU:
If WKU has beaten Charlotte and beats ODU, Blame Sanford for not winning more before this game and Appreciate Sanford for not losing two games in a row, especially if they win in a blowout. If it’s close, you can either Blame Sanford or Appreciate Sanford, depending on whether the quarterback is good that game, because Sanford was a quarterback.
If Western has lost to Charlotte but wins at home against ODU, Blame Sanford for the Charlotte loss. But open up the possibility to Appreciate Sanford later if he makes it up by winning a game against “one of the good ones.”
If the Tops beat Charlotte and lose to Old Dominion, all momentum is lost: Blame Sanford.
If the Tops lost to Charlotte and lose to the Monarchs, WKU is in for real desperation mode the rest of the season. Sanford is almost in a playoff to keep his job at that point. Blame Sanford with extra sauce.
vs. FIU
If the Hilltoppers have won at least one of their last two games and beat FIU, this is a moment you might consider an Appreciate Sanford, but it’s probably safe to just Blame Sanford. A caveat would be if this win makes three in a row. In most cases, a slight Appreciate Sanford should be in order. Or option B, if you’re stubborn and want a quality win on the resume, just Blame Sanford for losing games early in the season. This is a personal choice.
If the Toppers have won at least one of their last two games and lose to FIU, it’s totally back to square one. Make it worse if he’s lost two of three, but regardless, Blame Sanford. WKU is no better than 3–5 in this scenario. Maybe if you get real upset, post on your favorite message board of choice and tag Sanford in a vicious monologue about not coming back ever again. If you really, really mean it this time, post a video burning something. That will scare him into winning from here on out.
If the Toppers lose all of their next three (Charlotte, ODU, and FIU), Todd Stewart has to be considering a move in the near future. It’s not a done deal, but without question, most of you should probably get out your pitchforks and at least start coming up with angry words that rhyme with “Sanford” and “Fire.” Blame Sanford.
at MTSU:
If Middle continues winning, this game could be monumental, especially if WKU is sitting with one loss at that point. If he loses a big game that ends up mattering, that’s a perfect opportunity to Blame Sanford.
Now that Marshall is a loss, this game matters to you more than ever. Regardless of whether WKU is 1–7 or 4–4 or in between at this point, beating Middle is really important and makes you feel better no matter what. Appreciate Sanford if he beats Middle no matter what.
However, there could be some Blame Sanford’s in this week regardless. I’m sure you’ll be looking for them, so let’s find reasons to justify it. If WKU blows another lead and barely wins, Blame Sanford. If WKU has seven losses by this point, Appreciate Sanford for beating Middle, but Blame Sanford for making it harder to fire him.
This week could be the first week we could Appreciate Sanford and not even Blame Sanford for anything at the same time. If Mike Sanford all of a sudden wins four in a row, there are very few scenarios where you could sincerely Blame Sanford. If you’re still looking to Blame Sanford, look for defections from the program or some other kind of drama. That’s always something good to get upset about. This may be the first week we could Give Sanford a Chance. Just remember, though, that this is only if he’s won all four before this. No excuses! We were champions once, so anything less than bling ain’t your thing.
Now, if Sanford loses to Middle, this is a Blame Sanford flow chart no matter what else happened. Now, just know you have freedom to be very upset with him if he’s lost at least two of the last four. If he lost four in a row and lost to Middle, I’m getting my pitchfork and coming with you to campus. If he’s got your Toppers back at 4–5 after a loss to Middle, though, he’s really done well to pull together three of four, but remember rival games count more in the standings than regular conference games. No matter what, if he loses to Middle, just go ahead and Blame Sanford for whatever you want. Blame Sanford for you being late to church after losing to Middle. If WKU Basketball loses to Middle, Blame Sanford. He probably caused it.
at FAU:
Depending on where FAU stands at this point, this game could be a feather in the cap for the Tops, or it could just be another game. Conference USA’s version of The Longest Yard, Kiffin’s Convicts don’t seem to have as much bite this year. I always thought I’d get a barbed wire tattoo to make me tough. Now I can just transfer to Boca. Blame Sanford if WKU loses to the Owls two years in a row, regardless of how good they are. You can’t be losing to 6'5", chicken-legged chump in a visor with an Owl on it.
If FAU is still good, WKU has won four in a row, and the Tops beat FAU, it’s seriously time to Give Sanford a Chance. If this happens, WKU is now back in the running for a Conference USA title. Depending on Marshall QB Isaiah Greene’s health and Marshall’s own ability to stay consistent, Western could take a sole or co-lead in the division at this point. It might even be time to, Lord forbid, Start Liking Sanford. Probably not full on liking, but kind of like a “Hey, ya know, he’s turned out to be alright,” kind of like. I’m not sure there’s any way to Blame Sanford for much of anything if the Tops are bowl eligible and competing for a championship after a 1–4 start.
If WKU loses to FAU, regardless of any other games’ results, they will definitely be out of the race in the East, so Blame Sanford for that.
If WKU loses to FAU in a close one between two good teams, Blame Sanford for another close loss. If WKU loses to FAU and FAU is no good, Blame Sanford, because he shouldn’t be losing to mediocre programs. If WKU and FAU are both proven to be terrible at this point and Western still loses, this is just another reason to Blame Sanford. If WKU is 1–9 at this point, this thing has just about gone far enough.
vs. UTEP:
This is Senior Night, and honestly, losing this game will result in a violent response, regardless of whether WKU has scraped back to 6–4 heading into this one, or is 1–9. UTEP is absolutely favored to lose every game. They’re terrible, losing to terrible teams by double digits. If WKU loses to UTEP, just go all out and burn something important, especially if WKU hasn’t won a game since Ball State. That’ll teach em. Blame Sanford, although if you burn something with a 6–5 record, you risk looking like a complete idiot. But if that’s what you feel, Bic probably has lighters on sale somewhere.
If WKU wins, Blame Sanford for this game reminding you how lucky he got last year, when he went for two early in the game and nearly lost on any one of three field goals. The only way this game ends up not being a Blame Sanford moment is if this game results in a 7–4 record and a chance to fight for a spot in the conference championship. In almost all scenarios, winning the next six games would put WKU in with a chance to win the East heading into La Tech. If that scenario happens, honestly can we say you can go anywhere from Give Sanford a Chance to Start Liking Sanford? Shouldn’t Blame Sanford actually be off the table in this scenario? I understand wanting to Blame Sanford no matter what, because we’re not passing for 300 yards per game anymore. Jeff Brohm found a way to get Doughty a 10th year. Brandon Doughty was 32 when he graduated from Western. Why can’t Sanford find a way to get Mike a 6th year?
at La Tech:
This game is so far out that both teams could be awful, or this could be like most years, when this game determines a division championship. For the first time, it didn’t play a factor last year, when both squads finished at 4–4 in the conference. La Tech looks really good so far this year, so it would be shocking for them to be 3–8 heading into this game. However, the games are played for a reason. WKU could get on a roll and prove capable of winning each of its games, or it could tank and come in at 1–10 on the season. Blame Sanford for the mysterious nature of the Tops.
If WKU and La Tech are both conference contenders and the Hilltoppers win, this is a huge feather in the cap for Sanford. If this helps WKU get to a .500 record or better, we should Appreciate Sanford and definitely Give Sanford a Chance. Depending on if this seals a conference division title, you can Start Liking Sanford at this point if you want. But hey don’t get carried away. You can always Blame Sanford if we didn’t “look good” doing it.
If WKU has four wins or less heading into this game, the Tops will probably be fighting for their coach’s job. If the Tops beat La Tech in this scenario, Blame Sanford for waiting until the last minute and finding a way to probably save his bacon.
If Dear Old Western loses to La Tech, what else could you do besides Blame Sanford? Now, the scenario affects how much venom we spew. If this is an epic three overtime battle for a conference championship berth, we’re just blaming him for everything that went wrong early. If this is the cap to a 1–11 campaign, I’m pretty sure he might skip town before the post-game meal (Chick-Fil-A will be pissed). If the record is somewhere in the middle, this game is very unlikely to help him or hurt him. The decision to keep him may already be half made at this point, barring an abysmal final showing. La Tech is a good enough program that this loss wouldn’t give you enough on its own to warrant an immediate dismissal.
Conference Championship Game:
This seems unlikely, but if WKU is in the conference championship game, the only way everyone is not losing their ever loving mind excited about the bowl game is if the Tops blow a huge lead to lose it. If so, Blame Sanford. Otherwise, regardless of the result, come on. You would have to at least Appreciate Sanford for getting them there.
If WKU Football somehow wins a conference championship after this crazy start to the year, I wouldn’t put it past you to fall down and Worship Sanford. And don’t you dare tell me otherwise!
Bowl Game:
If WKU does make a bowl game and the Tops win, ultimately, you have to Give Sanford a Chance and admit that he ultimately improved from his first year. If he does that, he will have had to have won at least six of the final eight games of the season. There is no way that doesn’t leave you optimistic for 2019.
If WKU somehow makes a bowl game, regardless of if you Worship Sanford after a conference championship win a few weeks prior or if the Tops barely get to five or six wins and luck into a bowl game, if Sanford loses the bowl game, cancel any previous actions out and Blame Sanford for not finishing off the year strong and “tanking” two years in a row. Let that sour taste in your mouth fester like a rotten boil and NEVER Forgive Sanford.
I hope this all-inclusive, exclusive Topper Football “How To: 2018” Guide tickles your fancy. When in doubt, pull this out. Remember, when in a pinch, don’t give Sanford an inch. When in a bind, give him a piece of your mind. When upset, make a post about ticket sales he’ll never forget.