WKU Football: Tops-UT Martin Gameday Information
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final…
After the bizarre 2020 college football season, WKU found a way to scratch and claw to a bowl game appearance and a 5–7 overall final record. With a team that many thought could compete for a conference championship, the Tops finished in the middle of the pack.
However, with a momentous offseason with tons of huge “gets” and “coups”, the most significant of which were Houston Baptist transfer quarterback Bailey Zappe signing with the Tops and superstar defensive end DeAngelo Malone deciding to forego a realistic shot at the NFL and stay on campus for a fifth year, the Tops seem poised to be a legitimate threat to make a title run.
With that being said, it’s 2021. Crowds are back, and hope springs eternal. If you need to know any of the game information, look no further — we have you covered.
Location
Houchens Industries — L. T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Time
7:00 PM CST
Weather Forecast
It looks like the weather from Hurricane Ida should clear out by kickoff and make way for a beautiful night of college football.
TV
ESPN+
Graham Doty (play-by-play) and Bob Belvin (analyst)
Radio
Randy Lee (Play by Play), Leo Peckenpaugh (Analyst) & Terry Obee (Sideline) on the call
Gameday Information
WKU:
UT-Martin:
Betting Lines from Sportsline.com
WKU -15.5
ESPN.com Match-up Predictor
WKU-88.3% chance to win
Current Records
WKU: 0–0
UT-Martin: 0–0
Last Time Out…
In terms of the 2020 season, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had what could be classified on a range from fairly disappointing to somewhat acceptable season. On the one hand, they were one of very few programs to even compete in 11 games. With COVID-19, many programs struggled to muster more than seven or eight games. However, with a 5–7 overall record and a 39–21 bowl game loss to Georgia State, the late December feeling inside the Houch was not one of immense success. Head Coach Tyson Helton certainly has something to prove in his third season on The Hill.
UT-Martin played seven conference games in the spring of 2021, playing all the way into mid-April in a 40–7 rout of Tennessee Tech. They went an overall 3–4, but frankly, they were a much better team that should not be overlooked by the Hilltoppers. Three of their four losses were by a combined 11 points. In addition to the deceptive record, the Skyhawks bring in some impressive troops for a “middle-of-the-road” OVC squad. 18 starters return and eight returning players received All-OVC honors last season. In addition to those returning players, key positions have been filled on both sides of the ball with FBS (including some Power 5) transfers. Despite the firepower, UTM has been picked to be fourth place in the OVC, receiving zero first place votes.
Coaches
Tyson Helton- 3rd Season- 14–11 Overall (All at WKU)
Jason Simpson- 16th season 90–77 Overall (All at UTM)
Series
Hilltoppers Lead 4–0
Last Meeting
WKU won 71–0 in Bowling Green on September 9, 2000. The Hilltoppers and Skyhawks played four times in a row as conference mates in the OVC from 1997–2000. WKU won each meeting, averaging a 44.5 point margin of victory.
Relevant Reading
Conference USA Preseason Media Prediction
Injury Report
Most teams keep things under wraps in the preseason, but the only injury news Towel Rack has seen is promising tight end Dalvin Smith continues to struggle with nagging injuries and is considered questionable to play against UT-Martin.
UT-Martin’s likely starting quarterback (if healthy) Dresser Winn will be out, but his backup, Keon Howard, is a transfer from Tulane with playing experience. Also, during his press conference, Head Coach Jason Simpson mentioned his concern about some players not being able to travel because of COVID testing. He mentioned the team is not 100% vaccinated. Something to keep an eye on for sure.
Excitement Level — 8
Listen, it’s UT-Martin, so there’s no way we can say it’s a full ten on the scale. It is what it is. However, there is such a hunger for normalcy and an overall excitement and mystery about this football team. The quarterback is firing off a 12–0 prediction while the media thinks WKU is hardly even a favorite to win the East Division. How good is this team? Is Bailey Zappe going to look like Brandon Doughty with Aaron Rodgers’ arm, or is he going to look like a really good FCS quarterback that can’t compete at this level? WKU has 28 newcomers, many of which are big time transfers, including the aforementioned Zappe. How do they acclimate? WKU seems to be doing and saying all of the right things, but what is the truth? It all becomes a little more apparent Thursday night. Tops and Skyhawks kick it off at 7 PM Central on ESPN+.
Go Tops! We’ll be providing live coverage and reaction. If you made it to the Houch, please send us your tailgating and in-game pictures via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page and we’ll share.