WKU Football: WKU vs. FIU Staff Predictions
Fletcher Keel, 4–3
Fletcher Keel, 4–3
This game shouldn’t be close. But, WKU and FIU always play weird games when the two get together and I expect that trend to continue.
I know it’s been a disappointing season; I know the Hilltoppers have only one win to their name but they’ve been in essentially every game and I expect that today.
With the QB1 job securely in the hands of Davis Shanley, hopefully that pressure will be off of him to perform for the job and he can go out and just straight perform.
This game hinges on two things: Can the Toppers continue having a successful running game and how involved will Gino Appleberry and Joshua Samuel be and will the Hilltopper defense be able to stop someone, anyone, on the opposing sideline.
I think one of these things happens, which means it’ll be a WKU loss, but another close one that leaves us shaking our heads at what could have been.
Give me the Panthers, 28–23.
Ross Shircliffe, 3–3 (no prediction for Wisconsin)
WKU’s season from hell rolls on with a homecoming matchup against the Conference USA East division leader.
On paper, I’m shocked that the spread isn’t higher. I guess the main factor would be the road element but when I look at FIU, I see a team with a veteran coach (Butch Davis) and a veteran quarterback (James Morgan) that has shown ways to win convincingly and closely. They’re pretty much the mirror opposite of the Hilltoppers.
Taking that into consideration, along with the hangover Mike Sanford’s squad is probably experiencing after last week’s gut-punch against ODU, I find it hard to find anyway the Tops win this game.
At this rate, we’ll probably follow a familiar script: We’ll see a close game where WKU moves the ball at times and probably takes the lead, makes some stops but ultimately comes up short in the fourth quarter when the game is in the balance. Give me FIU 27 — WKU 20 as WKU’s bowl eligible streak ends after seven seasons.
Matt McCay, 5–2
You know what? Percentages say WKU has a better chance than normal in a game between 5–2 and 1–6 football teams.
FIU is riding high, winning three in a row and taking down some pretty good football teams in the process. The Golden Panthers are in control of the East and frankly, they can afford to throw away a game and still win the East. With FAU coming into town next week, WKU could be off the radar.
WKU is also desperate for a win, with their backs against the wall. The Toppers know they play for their slim hopes of bowl eligibility each week from here on out. It’s homecoming. WKU should be motivated.
That being said, FIU is dang impressive this year. They rank second in points scored and second in points allowed in the conference. Their two losses come by respectable margins against Power 5 schools. This feels like a game WKU could win, but ultimately FIU has just turned out to be too good this year.
WKU squandered winnable games, and now the schedule gets difficult. I don’t see this being a win in most scenarios. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why the line is only -3.5 for FIU. This feels like FIU should win easily. I’ll take FIU 30-WKU 17.
Jared Rosdeutscher, 4–3
I should be surprised that WKU lost in spectacular fashion against ODU last week but sadly that seems to be the norm this season.
I keep expecting this team to prove me wrong and close out a game and win but that still seems to be something they’re incapable of doing, even past the midway point of the year.
FIU currently sits atop the east standings in the C-USA at 3–0 in the conference so in order for WKU to win this game they would have to finally play a complete 60 minutes and finish a game or have the Golden Panthers lay an egg.
I don’t see the either of those happening so I’ll stick with the prediction I made on this week’s RedOut podcast and take FIU 38–21.
Sam Gormley, 4–3
It is homecoming on the Hill as the Tops will look to get back to their winning ways after what we can only call a bizarre way to lose a football game.
FIU embarrassed WKU in Miami last year and very possibly could do the same today.
When you lose a game like WKU did, teams usually can do one of two things: Fold completely or play their best games of the entire year.
I saw an article published this past week saying that this game will “keep bowl hopes alive.” If WKU comes out and plays that way, they will fall to 1–7 on the year almost guaranteed.
Instead, they need to play with their hair on fire. Play with absolutely nothing to lose.
When you look on paper, FIU is clearly better than the Tops. Butch Davis has gotten the program in a better shape in just two years. WKU has not beaten a team that was better than them on paper, but other than the Wisconsin game, they have kept games with teams like that close.
As much as I’d like to pick WKU to pull off the upset, I’m taking the Golden Panthers to spoil Homecoming by a final score of 31–17.
Devin Stewart, 0–3 (first prediction was Marshall)
Having history within the WKU football program, witnessed the lowest point in WKU football in recent history (0–26).
I’ve also seen the rigorous schedule student athletes have.
From workouts, practice, team meetings, going to class, etc., it can get really busy for them. So I try and stay positive.
However, I’m also a realist.
FIU is comfortably riding in first place in Conference USA’s East Division. Tops are in the basement. Sadly, the Hilltopper defense is a handicap. Almost weekly, WKU’s continually bending defense is giving up 400 yards.
Don’t believe me?
Charlotte: 509
ODU: 509
Marshall: 401
Ball State: 405.
Ball State is WKU’s only win and they still gave up over 400 yards. Of course the offensive strategy of eating clock and controlling the ball isn’t helping either. No matter how hard the guys play, we can expect some poor coaching decision to happen at some point.
So at the end of the day, FIU is coming to BG on Homecoming and it’s not going to be pretty. I love the Hilltoppers but FIU will score and score often.
FIU 45 — WKU 21