WKU Football: WKU vs. Old Dominion Staff Predictions

The Hilltoppers are back in action. Whether you’re ready for it or not, it’s happening. Here are our predictions.

The Hilltoppers are back in action. Whether you’re ready for it or not, it’s happening. Here are our predictions.

Fletcher Keel, 3–3

I really don’t want to be “guy who is over this season,” but I’m slowly turning into “guy who is over this season.” Granted, I’m also covering another team that’s taking my WKU watching away (who also aren’t very good), but I just don’t have the same desire to think much about the Toppers upcoming matchup like in years past. Even last year.

With that said, I’m going to make my pick honestly — not pretend I’ve done a ton (or any) research.

I think the Tops look better — they have to, right? — but I’m officially in the camp of I won’t believe it until I see it.

ODU wins, 35–21.

Ross Shircliffe, 2–3 (no prediction for Wisconsin)

After delivering the worst performance of the Mike Sanford era against a reeling Charlotte squad, it’s hard to have any confidence in this coaching staff to get this team ready to play even against a team that has the same 1–5 record as WKU. After last week’s dumpster fire we’re still wondering who the quarterback is? Can the running game get going? and was the defense massively overrated going into the season?

With that in mind, this is yet another put up or shut up moment for Sanford. He has completely lost 95% of the fan base (minus the most patient fans). A win on Saturday will temporarily stop the bleeding (though not by much).

Old Dominion has many warts, especially on defense, but they have at least shown they can put up points on offense. They average 32 points per game and have plenty of weapons including wide receiver Jonathan Duhart (737 yards receiving) and quarterback Blake LaRussa (11/4 TD/INT ratio). That all measures up to a shootout that I don’t have any faith in this coaching staff to overcome their slow plodding offense.

Give me ODU 35 — WKU 17 in front of 12,000 fans. The season from hell continues right before the Hilltoppers toughest stretch of the season.

Matt McCay, 4–2

I’m honestly torn this week. Of course, as a Topper blog, ultimately we all want the Tops to win. But here’s my issue with this team: They can move the ball between the 20’s, but they can’t seem to finish. Consequently, WKU averages an abysmal 17.8 points per game and gives up 27.5. 18 points per game won’t win many, but holding opponents under 30 will win most in Conference USA.

Old Dominion scores 27.4 points and gives up 39.1. Translation: Defense is optional, but they can move the football offensively. However, defensive end Oshane Ximines is a sack machine for the ODU defense. This is a tough one. I think before delving into it this week, my gut said WKU wins. After breaking this down some, I see better stars for ODU.

Receiver Jonathan Duhart is an absolute stud. Ximines is a monster, and more than just a pass rusher. ODU’s quarterback is better than whoever Sanford trots out there. ODU is also much more experienced. Add in that ODU has six losses, and this team is as desperate as it could possibly be. Not a good formula for the Tops. I think ODU’s offense is too much, and the Monarchs win in a game in the upper 20’s. Old Dominion 29 — WKU 22.

Jared Rosdeutscher, 3–3

So last week was really bad for WKU. Losing 40–14 to a team like Charlotte was pretty bad. The Tops defense wasn’t able to stop the run and the offense looked overall pretty discombobulated.

This week they get to play another one win team at home to hopefully get back on track.

Old Dominion is a box of chocolates this season: you never know what you’re gonna get. They got demolished by Liberty University to open the year but came back a few weeks later to beat #13 Virginia Tech in what has been the biggest upset in college football this season (which is still their only win). I’m not sure what Monarch team we’ll see this weekend. Or what WKU team we’ll see either.

WKU’s quarterback situation still isn’t resolved after Shanley struggled in Charlotte and now Drew Eckels is healthy enough to be able to play this weekend too so we will probably see more than one quarterback in a game once again.

As much as I want WKU to try to keep from falling into the abyss, they just seem to be too young and have too many inconsistencies to have any type of stability, especially on offense. I hope the Tops prove me wrong but I’m gonna have to go with the Monarchs getting the road win 28–24.

Sam Gormley, 4–2

Well, here we are. I would have admitted at the beginning of the year that WKU would not be having a good season, but I never thought they would have just lost to Charlotte by 26 points.

The big question going into this game is what Old Dominion team will show up. The one that beat Virginia Tech? Or the one that has played every other game this season?

Last week, I wrote that my gut told me to pick Charlotte, but my brain could not bring myself to do that. Well, we all know what happened and we have to live with it.

Mike Sanford and the Tops are in a must win scenario. Throw keeping the one in a million chance of getting a bowl game out the window, but yet Sanford is coaching for his job. Is this going to be a good thing for him? Or will he fold under the mounting pressure?

I find myself in a similar place as last week. I really want to pick the Tops, but everything about me says to pick Old Dominion. For whatever reason, the homer in me is growing and says to go with the Tops. WKU wins 21–20. I am ready to be disappointed yet again.

Devin Stewart, 0–2 (first prediction was Marshall)

This is one of the hardest games to predict, especially for me since I haven’t gotten a pick right all year. Just glad I didn’t put any money on these games.

Last week was supposed to be a barometer game and just like the weather, the Tops were cold. But like ODU, the Tops had ups and downs, with the Chrome Dome’s only win coming against Ball State. Then we look at Old Dominion, who’s only win came against Virginia Tech.

There really isn’t even much to take away when looking at like matchups: The Tops played Marshall close, yet got their doors blown off by Charlotte and ODU did the exact opposite, playing the 49ers close but getting throttled by the Herd.

Both teams are coming off crushing losses and are looking to take their frustrations out on somebody.

Maybe it’s the Kool Aid I’ve been drinking for the past few weeks but I’m sick of the disappointing taste. Even with WKU staring down a possible 2–10 season, I’m not going to sweat my record on these picks. I’ve been down a 26 game losing streak with the guys and I didn’t give up on the players then. So it’s coming up Red on Saturday, 30–27 Tops.