WKU Football: WKU vs. Wisconsin Game Info and Staff Predictions
It’s here it’s here it’s here! For better or worse, the 2018 WKU football campaign begins tonight as the Toppers will kick things off…
It’s here it’s here it’s here! For better or worse, the 2018 WKU football campaign begins tonight as the Toppers will kick things off against the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin.
Game Info
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Location: Camp Randall Stadium; Madison, Wisc.
TV: ESPN
Radio: The Hilltopper IMG Sports Network
Just like last year, every game we’ll give you predictions from each member of our writing staff. Let’s get this show on the road.
Fletcher Keel
You’re going to see a lot more analysis below, so I’ll keep it short and sweet; I’ve said it previously on this very site in terms of the overall picture of the season but I’ll put a microscope on it for tonight — this can be a good game for the Toppers even if it’s a near blowout defeat.
If Drew Eckels looks poised, confident and even throws a touchdown or two (or three or four or…), that’s a win.
If the Tops can have any resemblance of a successful running game, it’s a win.
If the defense can hold the Badgers to less than 24 points in the first half, and less than 42 for the game, it’s a win.
You don’t want to be talking about moral victories two years removed from consecutive conference titles, but that’s the reality we are faced with.
All of this is a long way to say I think the Tops will begin to answer all of the questions we have, even if they’re playing against an opponent that’s believed to be far superior. If WKU allows around 42 points and/or scores two touchdowns, the night is a success.
Give me the Badgers, 38–17. (That wasn’t short at all, was it?)
Ashteen Morrison
Even though we all want the Tops to win, more than likely they are going to be taking a pretty hard loss this weekend. Wisconsin has hopes for an exceptional offense this year that has apparently been one of the best that the school has seen in a while.
Since Wisconsin went 13–1 last season, that really sets the bar high for that to be true. WKU has a promising defense this season, but running up against an experienced offense like Wisconsin’s will prove difficult with the youth WKU has yet to fully develop.
I see WKU getting a touchdown in during the beginning of the game (due to the momentum of the season beginning), and then a field goal later on in an attempt to lessen the blow of Wisconsin’s offense. My greatest hope is that the WKU defense steps up and keeps their offense from erupting.
Wisconsin 35 — WKU 10
Sam Gormley
The homer in me wants to believe WKU can at least be competitive in this game, but as anyone that knows me would confirm, I am too much of a pessimist. This game shouldn’t be close.
Drew Eckels will be making his first career start in one of the harsher atmospheres in all of college football. While Camp Randall won’t be at its best in this game, this will still be the hardest environment the Tops have played in since Alabama in 2016.
Overall, there are just too many questions surrounding this team for me to be confident in them keeping it to within single digits. Will the rushing attack be any better? (Not that it could be much worse) How has the offensive line improved? Will we see improvements out of the defense? Not that any team wants moral victories, but these are things I want to see to be pleased with the performance. Wisconsin 42 — WKU 10
Jared Rosdeutscher
Well, here we are. While a lot of people’s expectations for this upcoming season of WKU football may vary, one thing is certain: An impending loss against the Badgers.
I wish I could believe WKU has a chance in this game but a win against the Badgers isn’t necessary to me to see improvement in this team. Wisconsin has one of the best offensive lines in the entire country and has a running back that is in Heisman contention so a win for WKU doesn’t mean they beat the Badgers but come out on the other side uninjured and with more knowledge of what it takes to win than they had before to help them become a better team.
I look for Wisconsin to easily control their home opener but I still think WKU is capable of making some big plays to keep from making this an absolute shutout. Wisconsin 45 — WKU 13
Matt McCay
With so many variables, I’m not sure how good the Tops will be. My gut says at first, the Tops are going to struggle. Later in the year, the youth will mature, and they will look like a pretty good football team.
For now, I’ll be happy with a touchdown on the road against the fourth ranked team in the country. Wisconsin is loaded everywhere. Wisconsin 38 — WKU 7