WKU Football: Who Is The Weakest Link?
WKU is 3–2. Preseason predictions probably would have forecasted a 3–2 or 4–1 record at this point. Only the extreme optimist, or the…
WKU is 3–2. Preseason predictions probably would have forecasted a 3–2 or 4–1 record at this point. Only the extreme optimist, or the occasional pessimist, would have predicted differently.
However, no one (not even the aforementioned pessimist) would have predicted the way in which the Hilltoppers would arrive at this record.
WKU underwhelmed against EKU and Illinois. WKU then showed a good first half against La. Tech, but an appalling second one. Ball State was a lucky win against a bad MAC team.
UTEP was the most egregious: the Tops were out played and had to find a way to squeak out a defensive battle against a winless team that had their coach quit on them the week of the game.
There’s no question WKU football is not playing to the same level as came to be expected in the Jeff Brohm era.
But why?
At First Glance
Let’s be honest: Jeff Brohm is an incredible football coach whose teams at WKU, and now Purdue, have massively overachieved based on their raw talent.
WKU was first in the nation in points in 2016, averaging 45.5 per game. WKU now averages less than half of that, and are 109th in the country in scoring. WKU is also dead last in the country in rushing yards per attempt this year.
The Hilltoppers are also throwing for 86 yards per game less than they did a season ago.
Darn Dandy D
First of all, set aside any issue with the defense. They were not stellar against UTEP, especially in the first half, but they are yet to allow more than 23 points in any game this year. The defense is at least in the top half of the country in every single statistic split related to yards and points.
The defense is not to blame in the slightest. If WKU’s defensive line was at all above average, WKU would be a truly dominant defense. When you account for the fact that this defense is relying on a terrible offense to give them rest, they’re truly remarkable.
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Offens(ive)
Clearly, the issue is the offense.
Then the questions come flooding out: Is it Mike White? Is it scheme and/or coaching? Is it the receivers/tight ends? Will it be better when all the running backs are healthy? Do the Tops miss some key offensive linemen?
Go down the list for yourself.
Mike White
His stats are not nearly as gaudy as last year, but through five games, he has only thrown three interceptions and accounted for seven touchdowns. He’s still efficient and he’s producing yardage and scores. We haven’t seen his best, but to me, with all of the other issues, he’s the least concerning.
Scheme and Coaching
It often takes at least two years to fully learn a new system. Jeff Brohm used the exact same system and terminology as Bobby Petrino, so he never had this issue. WKU’s personnel is also not designed to run a physical, under center offense, because Petrino and Brohm recruited spread players.
It would be irresponsible not to question some of the coaching decisions we’ve seen.
Going for it on your own 49 on 4th and 2 is great if it works, and a gut shot if it doesn’t.
There have been meltdowns in multiple games, severe imbalances between the rush and the pass, and blown assignments and penalties all over the offense. To make things worse, throw in some very predictable play-calling.
Having said all that, I am in wait-and-see mode. I’ve not decided what I think of Coach Sanford’s ability as a head coach, and it would be unreasonable to write him off with a 3–2 record and extreme likelihood of a 5–2 start to his first season.
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Receivers/Tight Ends
They have definitely been inconsistent, especially when it comes to dropping the ball. This offense doesn’t have a Taywan Taylor or Nicholas Norris, or at least we haven’t seen that guy emerge yet.
As far as tight ends, Deon Yelder is far and away the most pleasant surprise on the entire roster. I would say receivers have contributed to the issues, but they don’t seem to be the real problem.
Running Backs
We have seen four running backs so far, and each has played different roles. D’Andre Ferby, Quinton Baker, Marquez Trigg and Quinton Moses have all shown flashes of goodness. Each of these guys offers something different.
Ferby is super physical and experienced, Trigg is all-around solid, Baker is solid but also quick and Moses is incredibly explosive but small and young. I don’t see these guys at their current experience being an elite group, but I see them being decent if they’re all healthy and playing their proper roles.
Offensive Line
The one thing Sanford and I disagree is the source of the problem. He knows more about the details than I do, but he believes the receivers are struggling to get open, and all of their jobs should be up for grabs.
That’s fine, especially after this last game, where UTEP threw eight men at the line of scrimmage and dared WKU to beat them deep. They couldn’t.
He also says right guard Miles Pate is in a position battle this week with Tyler Witt. Tyler Witt was highly touted and highly rated, and it’s about time to see him making a push for playing time. However, for me, the issue this year has always been the offensive tackles. Brandon Ray, Dennis Edwards, and Pate have all been solid. They have made mistakes, but I don’t believe they’re the problem.
An offensive tackle controls the entire edge of the line of scrimmage and all of the sight lines beyond them. This is a huge area. If his area is habitually blown up, no matter the play, a huge area of the offensive field is useless, and the QB or ball carrier has less time to make a decision. If you have two tackles that continually get beat, continually miss assignments and continually commit penalties, you can’t do anything.
The average WKU fan is starting to freak out a little bit, but let’s keep perspective. WKU is in an unfamiliar place post-Jeff Brohm, but it is not a disaster.
It’s going to be okay.
What do you think the issue is? What would you like to see improved upon? Of you’re not in worry mode yet, what will put you there? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.