The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers former head coach Jeff Brohm left for Purdue. To combat the loss, the Hilltoppers turned to former offensive coordinator Mike Sanford to keep the ball rolling.
Western Kentucky is the defending Conference USA champions. They also are favorites to repeat in 2017. Mike Sanford’s offense is set at quarterback. Unfortunately, the Hilltoppers lost tons of offensive punch. Hopefully, plenty of other new faces can pick up the slack.
The defense also is undergoing some changes. One good thing is they return experience via the defensive line and the secondary. As long as the offense doesn’t lose too much, the Hilltoppers will be in the mix for another Conference USA title run.
Offense
Western Kentucky’s quarterback Mike White took over last season from veteran starting quarterback Brandon Doughty. He certainly lived up to expectations. White threw for over 4,300 yards with a 67 percent completion percentage. He also netted 37 touchdown tosses and had only seven picks. The senior signal-caller put up those numbers while sitting out the second half of three games last year.
Returning tail back D’Andre Ferby’s 2016 campaign came to an end quickly. He suffered a shoulder injury on his first carry of the year. This year, he has hopes to still bring power up the middle. Shifty runner Quinton Baker will complement Ferby’s between-the-tackles running. Baker posted 542 yards and four scores last year as a true freshman.
I researched the return of running back Leon Allen after Phil Steele mentioned his return. Allen missed the last two years with a devasting knee injury. He ran for over 1,500 yards in 2014, so I figured I better have a look.
A half an hour later, as my article sat stagnantly, I found out he won’t be producing much since setbacks to his ailing knees. Thank you, Phil Steele. He applied for a sixth year of eligibility, received it but his injury is too much for the back to overcome. I hope he capitalized on his college degree.
Getting back to the matter at hand, the wide receiver position was also stripped clean. Both of Western Kentucky’s top two receivers departed. They combined for 174 catches for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Replacing them is Senior Nacarius Fant (407 yards) and sophomore Lucky Jackson (395). Also, both starting tight ends from 2016 are gone.
Western Kentucky loses 117 offensive line starts in 2017. Four-year starting left tackle and NFL prospect Forrest Lamp is gone. In 2017, the interior of the line will feature senior left guard Brandon Ray and junior right guard Dennis Edwards. Senior Jimmie Sims will most likely take Lamp’s old spot at left tackle.
Defense
Defensive line mates, Derik Overstreet and Chris Johnson shore up the Hilltopper’s interior. Overstreet recorded 34 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks. Johnson had 43 more tackles, 12.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks. Last season, the seniors helped Western Kentucky to hold opponents to just 3.0 yards per carry. That stat ranked them fourth nationally.
Western Kentucky lost their third leading tackler T.J. McCollum when he left for Purdue. He notched 191 tackles in two years on the Hill. I Expect junior linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe to be one of the Hilltoppers’ top tacklers in defensive coordinator Clayton White’s new 4-2-5 scheme.
The scheme change was due in large part because of the Hilltopper’s talented secondary. All five of their projected starters are seniors. Cornerback Joe Brown broke up a team-best 10 passes last year.
Fellow defensive backs Leverick Johnson and De’Andre Simmons were solid in coverage, defending eight apiece. The NCAA granted Safety Marcus Ward gets a fifth year after missing the final 12 games with a bum knee.
Prediction
Western Kentucky athletic director Todd Stewart turned to Mike Sanford. The 35-year-old spent the last two years as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Sanford has experience for his age. He has coached under or played for Chris Petersen, Jim Harbaugh, and David Shaw.
The key to another 2017 Conference USA title run rests with quarterback Mike White. White was under center last year when the Hilltoppers were good for 45,5 points a contest. The defense has a lot of experience and should be one of the best in the division.
Western Kentucky did lose some serious offensive firepower. That being said, there’s enough talent for coach Sanford to build around. The two-time defending Conference USA champion Hilltoppers won’t give up their spot at the top without a fight.
Line setters have their team total at 9.5 and you have to buy it at -135. I’m staying away from the half game there. They also have them as the favorites at 5 to 7 (-140) to keep their conference crown. I won’t be buying that for that price either. The talent might be there but the price is too steep for my liking.
Schedule
9-2 vs. Eastern Kentucky
9-9 @ Illinois
9-16 vs. Louisiana Tech
9-23 vs. Ball State
10-7 @ UTEP
10-14 vs. Charlotte
10-20 @ Old Dominion
10-28 vs. Florida Atlantic
11-4 @ Vanderbilt
11-11 @ Marshall
11-17 vs. Middle Tennessee
11-24 @ Florida International
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the
Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the getmoresports app from the Google Play Store. It makes finding all your sporting information easy and available with just a touch of an icon on your mobile device.
