WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Seven — Old Dominion
After losing a close game against the top team in C-USA last week, the Tops look to finally get back in the win column after losing four…
After losing a close game against the top team in C-USA last week, the Tops look to finally get back in the win column after losing four straight. All of us picked the Tops last week but hopefully they won’t let us down this week.
But how do we see today’s game going?
Matt McCay (3–2)
I thought UTSA was a bad matchup for UTSA, and I think it was. UTSA is clearly the better team, but WKU hit on some issues UTSA had. Old Dominion is, I think a really good matchup for WKU, and they are certainly not as good as the Roadrunners. Old Dominion does have a good running game, which does play against one of the Toppers’ strengths. However, everything else points to WKU. If ODU is to beat WKU, it will have to overcome special teams, an offense that can’t pass, and a defense that gives up points. WKU’s special teams is elite, has a defense that needs help stopping the pass, and an offense that scores in bunches.
ODU has to overcome so much in this matchup that I don’t see it happening. But WKU has found ways to allow games to go a different direction than they should have. If WKU scores and doesn’t give up multiple massive game changing plays like pick-sixes or returns for touchdowns, it’s hard to see where ODU gets it done. I’ve got Western Kentucky: 48, Old Dominion: 29.
Alex Sherfield (1–4)
Without a doubt, last week’s loss against UTSA left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths. A defensive breakdown plus a slow start were the only reasons as to why we aren’t sitting at 1 — 0 in CUSA play. We can’t afford any more days like that from here on out. It also doesn’t make things better that we’re on the road against ODU.
So far, the Monarchs have lost within seven points to both UTEP & Marshall. They can contend well but they’re just like us, hungry for a conference win. This is a team that loves to run the ball, something our run defense has been struggling with keeping up. At averaging over 5.0 yards a carry, between Blake Watson, LaLa Davis, & Jon-Luke Peaker, they aren’t afraid to use their rushers.
One silver lining is that the Monarchs secondary has only two interceptions in six games. Zappe & Company should have an easier time on an effective pass offense that somehow kept the Tops in the game through every loss this season. As much as I want to have any doubts about ODU, I can see this going in our favor. Especially after last Saturday.
Give me the Tops reigning over the Monarchs. WKU: 40, ODU: 17
Jacob Gary (1–4)
Please for the love of God win this game Western Kentucky. Hopes for the conference championship game are disappearing like sand slipping through my fingers at the beach. Well, maybe I should be worried about bowl eligibility first, before that. WKU has to be perfect from here on out if they want to salvage the season. Hopefully it starts this weekend. I expect the offense will look good, however, I expect the defense will not look good, as they haven’t literally all season. If you see an over/under on any Hilltoppers game for the rest of the year under 70, you should hammer the over. Give me Western Kentucky: 47, Old Dominion: 31
And as always, #GoTops
Devin Stewart (2–3)
Short and sweet this week: Tops gonna dominate Old Dominion, 45–21.
Sam Gormley (4–1)
WKU hits the road with a winnable game against Old Dominion. The Monarchs, like WKU, have not beaten an FBS team this season. Also like WKU, they have had multiple losses by close margins.
As we have learned this season, WKU’s defense is putrid. To say they have been disappointing would be an understatement.
With that being said, the offense has been nothing short of spectacular. Bailey Zappe has been everything fans could have thought of and more.
He can only do so much though. It is not his fault that the Hilltopper defense probably couldn’t stop the Towel Rack staff. (Trust me in saying, we are not the epitome of athletes… yes, I know that shocks you)
Now, onto the pick. It is hard to pick WKU because they still have yet to prove they can win a game like it, but hey, I am naive. Give me the Tops 38-24.
Jared Rosdeutscher (4–1)
Last week was so disappointing on so many levels. Zappe looked incredible yet the defense couldn’t make any big plays at all to help out and pull their weight. It’s going to be a long season if this defense continues to allow teams to get as many points and yards as they have so far.
Thankfully for this week I think this is finally their chance to stop the bleeding out of what was expected to be a special season going down the drain and get back on track. Old Dominion hasn’t been great this year and the Tops are obviously better than their record shows. Give me the Tops winning 44–35.