WKU Football: Staff Prediction Week Six — UTSA

C-USA play for the Tops starts today with an undefeated Roadrunner team. This will be a major test for sure and our staff writers, along…

C-USA play for the Tops starts today with an undefeated Roadrunner team. This will be a major test for sure and our staff writers, along with UTSA fans on Twitter, have a lot to say about how we think the game will end up.

Let’s get into the predictions!

Matt McCay (3–1)

UTSA is a really good team. Statistically, there is not a lot there to point to in terms of weaknesses. But one thing that our conversation with BirdsUp.com revealed was a lack of production on the back end of the defense. They are experienced, but they seem to give up some big plays. Talk about a nightmare matchup for that secondary! If this holds true, Zappe, Sterns, Corley, Tinsley, and others should feast. This little tidbit was something I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but quite frankly, I believe UTSA is massively overinflated. They needed some luck in order to show a 5 — 0 record. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but this issue is why I felt like UTSA would struggle against WKU.

The offense is good enough to put up 30 on anybody, and if they face a defense that isn’t elite in combination with an offense that doesn’t execute on almost every drive, they can run them out of the building. My question when picking WKU to lose to any C-USA opponent is this: Who can score with them? UTSA is not a team that lights up the scoreboard. So they’re going to have to light it up out of nowhere and find a way to keep Zappe and Co. from scoring 40. Sure, the WKU defense has not been impressive, but they’ve gotten better each game. I don’t know if my score will prove true, but I believe WKU will win most C-USA games by double digits this season. Call it a hunch. I’ve got Western Kentucky: 52, UTSA: 27.

Alex Sherfield (1–3)

For the second time in school history, the Roadrunners are enjoying an undefeated start at 5-0. With a single conference win against MTSU under their belt, they’re looking to make a successful trip to Bowling Green to take the lead over the C-USA West Division.

Sincere McCormick is one of the big impact players for the UTSA offense. His 132 rushing attempts for 541 yards & 6 touchdowns make for a serious challenge against a Tops rushing defense who struggled at Michigan State last week. If they want to redeem themselves as a serious conference title contender, it starts with the defensive unit.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Roadrunners are led by Clarence Hicks & Trumane Bell who are tied with 3 sacks apiece. The pass offense needs to be on their A-Game when protecting Bailey Zappe especially with them allowing only 55% of passes completed from opposing offenses.

Just like almost every conference opponent that we have this season. The challenge is making sure that we don’t have the plagued slow start that has affected us in back-to-back weeks. Could this also be the game where the rushing attack finds solid footing? Give me WKU: 45, UTSA: 30.

Jacob Gary (1–3)

WKU has to rebound from the tough opening schedule and the perfect opportunity is presenting itself with undefeated UTSA coming to town. If hilltoppers defense can bend not break, and hold UTSA to field goals while our offense does the usual thing, then the Hilltoppers win this one and make a statement in Conference USA. I view this as a must win game for the Toppers and can only hope they deliver. Give me Western Kentucky: 34, UTSA: 26.

And as always #GoTops

Devin Stewart (2–2)

Last week was a tough game to watch. Michigan State was no paper tiger like IU. But all these non conference games have prepared WKU for CUSA, and with that said we’ve had only one game that was a “gimme”. But WKU’s past dictates those aren’t guaranteed wins.

I digress, The roadrunners beep into town on saturday at 5–0 and the Tops will make that 5–1. I believe our teams are fairly equal on all sides, and this game will definitely be an offensive showing. Tops: 42, UTSA: 35

Sam Gormley (4–0)

It is rare that I come to picking a game where I really think it is 50/50. There will even be games that even in my heart I know that the Tops don’t have a chance in what could be classified as a “toss-up.”

I truly believe that if this game was played 10 times, each team would win five. Now the question is, which of the ten will happen tonight at the Houch.

It seems like this game lines up to be a blast to watch if you are just a fan of football, but a nightmare if you are a fan of either team. The Tops’ strength is the Roadrunners’ weakness and vice versa.

WKU coming in on a three-game losing streak can also mean a multitude of things. Are the Tops starved for a win? Or are they coming in limping after what was a tough non-conference slate?

Okay, enough with the rhetoricals. Bailey Zappe gives me confidence as a WKU quarterback that I haven’t had since Mike White. To me, he can be the best player on the field tonight. I have always been told that in a toss-up, you go with the team that has the best player. I expect Zappe to be that and to have a big game and will pick the Tops to win with a kick at the gun 41-38.

Jared Rosdeutscher (4–0)

As sad as it sounds, I haven’t picked the Tops to win in my predictions so far outside of the first game against UT-Martin. But after a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule that was much closer than their record shows, I have faith again.

UTSA is obviously undefeated and a good team but now would be a great time for them to lay an egg. I still see this being a very close game but the Topper defense, which has struggled a lot, being the difference and either getting a key takeaway or making a huge defensive stand to help seal the win. For the first time since week one, give me the Tops narrowly beating the Roadrunners 35–31.