WKU Football: WKU at MTSU Staff Predictions
It’s 100 Miles of Hate! Although, if you’re on the WKU twitterverse, you wouldn’t know it because there is less than zero excitement for…
It’s 100 Miles of Hate! Although, if you’re on the WKU twitterverse, you wouldn’t know it because there is less than zero excitement for what remains this football season.
Anyway, who wants picks?!
Fletcher Keel, 5–3
It has been 1,512 days since WKU last lost to MTSU. That is a streak that’ll come to an end tonight. I have no faith in the WKU offense to make plays and I have no faith in the WKU defense to make stops.
I’d love to be proven wrong and if I am, I’ll do something embarassing. But I don’t see it happening.
Give me MT, 35–14
Ross Shircliffe, 4–3 (no prediction for Wisconsin)
MTSU is rolling and WKU is stumbling. I’ve been busy this week with other writings so I’ll just predict MTSU 42 — WKU 13 as the dumpster fire season continues to burn out of control.
Matt McCay, 6–2
You know what? I don’t care. I don’t care how bad the Tops have sucked this year. I really don’t. I hate Middle. Screw being unbiased. Bring the hate, Tops. I was in Murfreesboro for business Tuesday, and the town in general makes me want to vomit. Also, I think this is a game WKU can actually win. Although MTSU is 5–3, their statistics say they are much worse. 5–3 is an absolutely fluke.
Middle gives up over 400 yards per game defensively and only gains 350. This says their offense can be average to non-existent at times, and their defense gives up chunk plays. For example, MTSU only gained 144 yards against Charlotte in a 21–13 win. This opens the door for WKU to pounce. WKU actually shows better yards per game offensively and defensively than Middle, but honestly, Middle has executed in some big moments and the Tops haven’t.
However, in a rivalry game, crazy things happen, and I truly believe WKU has at least one upset in them the rest of the year. This is my upset pick. Tops go down to Murfreesboro and play in a defensive struggle. WKU is able to get pressure on Stockstill, and the Toppers find a way in overtime. Sanford fakes a punt for the win in the first OT: WKU 27 — MUTS 24.
Jared Rosdeutscher, 5–3
It’s sad that we play Middle this week but yet we don’t even feel riled up with that typical hatred for the Blue Raiders we usually have. That’s how far we’ve fallen, my friends.
At this point, a win against our favorite team to hate in one of the worst seasons of WKU football since joining the FBS would be splendid. But sadly, this MTSU team has actually won some C-USA games (unlike the Tops) against FAU in a very close game and also against ODU which they handled quite easily.
We will see the true state of WKU’s football program with this game on whether or not they actually show up to play with a chip on their shoulder or just fold without a fight. If Sanford can’t get his guys riled up enough to produce any type of effort on the field against our biggest conference rival, that will say a lot.
While I wish that WKU could get the win in the 100 Miles of Hate, I think it will be too tall of a task to win this year. I still prediction WKU will (somewhat) show up but will lose to the MUTS 34–20.
Sam Gormley, 5–3
Here we go again. WKU makes the 100 mile trip down to Murfreesboro to attempt to turn things around with a road upset. The Tops are currently on a winning streak against the Blue Raiders, but this is probably the best MTSU team and the worst WKU team we’ve seen in quite some time.
Blue Raider quarterback, and son of the head coach, Brent Stockstill has never beaten the Tops as a starting quarterback. As much as I would like to believe that will continue, I can’t see it happening.
MTSU is playing for a legitimate shot at a conference championship while the Tops are playing to stay out of the basement. As much as it kills me to admit, they are just the better team.
With all of this being said, Mike Sanford biggest win as WKU’s head coach came at the hands of MTSU after Ryan Nuss kicked a game winning field goal in overtime. Maybe it will turn out to be that Sanford actually has the Blue Raiders’ number and pulls off the upset.
In all seriousness, I don’t expect this game to be a blowout, but I don’t see a scenario where WKU wins. Give me the… ugh… Blue Raiders 34–24.
Devin Stewart, 1–3 (first prediction was Marshall)
Rivalry week. The time when true contempt for another team and fanbase is at its peak. For some WKU fans, 100 Miles of Hate is the most important rivalry WKU has (I’m in this boat). We’ve stolen some big wins from the Mutts at MTSU. If I could bathe in their tears, I would. But on November 2, it’s probably not going to be one of those nights.
Whether it’s coaching, making plays, whatever, the Hilltoppers have yet to perform when it counts. Whether losing to Charlotte, 40–14 or FIU, 38–17. They never can perform when we need them as well as losing by three points in numerous games (Maine, Louisville, Marshall and Old Dominion).
Whether its football gods who hate Sanford, or just being one of the unluckiest programs in Conference USA. WKU just hasn’t had the luck.
This is really depressing to read. Blame the rainy weather.
Is there a chance WKU can sneak up on Middle? Yes. WKU has more passing yards than Middle (WKU 239 — MTSU 228) and less yards allowed ( WKU 404 — MTSU 419). The Mutts also are in second place in Conference USA, while the Tops are in the cellar. WKU also has more wins on the road (1) than at home (0). I’m trying to be positive.
November 2 in Mexico is the Dia de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead”. It’s an important holiday because it allows families to remember loved ones. That’s what we need to do tonight: Remember the glory that WKU football has had, and may achieve in the future. One thing is for sure unless the spirits of former Hilltoppers come back and give us an “Angels in the Outfield” miracle.
WKU is going to lose this one, MTSU 28 — WKU 20