2009 Western Kentucky College Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on May 28, 2009

wku-52809 The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are known as a basketball power in the Sun Belt Conference and their football team has had plenty of success at the 1-AA level, including a national title in 2002. But now, the football team makes the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision so that it is eligible to win a 1-A conference title and earn a bowl berth for the first time. Following a 2-10 campaign in 2008, the Hilltoppers’ first go around in FBS play might be a rough one, but there still figures to be plenty of excitement with this monumental change for the program. Bet college football this season with BetUS and receive up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses when you open a new account.

Offense - While many teams throughout the country have switched to the spread offense and have enjoyed success, the Hilltoppers averaged only 17.5 points per game last season in the spread formation. This offensive deficiency has new offensive coordinator Walt Wells incorporating a more traditional offense with more snaps under center and a focus on running the football. This figures to be a smart move as none of the quarterbacks competing for a starting job have any prior experience. Senior Brandon Smith could have the edge since he is a more traditional quarterback. Redshirt freshmen Marcus Vasquez and Ka-wauan Jakes are threats to run and throw. It also makes sense to implement a more traditional offense with the experience that is coming back in the backfield. Senior running backs Marell Booker and Tyrell Hayden combined for 673 yards rushing last season, averaging 4.3 and 4.2 yards per carry respectively. Their production figures to increase as they get more carries in 2009. They will have the benefit of running behind an offensive line which returns four starters, led by senior guard Cody Hughes, as well. When the Hilltoppers do go to the air, they will be looking in the direction of senior wide receiver Jake Gaebler, who is only 25 catches shy of breaking the school’s all-time receiving mark of 149 receptions.

Defense – The Hilltoppers head into the season with a new defensive coordinator also after promoting linebackers coach Mike Dietzel into the position. The former linebackers coach will have the luxury or working with a talented and experienced group of backers to anchor his 3-4 defense. Senior Blake Boyd is the team’s top returning tackler and may just have what it takes to play on Sunday’s. At 6′3”, 250 pounds, Boyd appears to have the size and speed to make the transition to the next level. He is a very versatile player who also led the Hilltoppers in sacks and pass breakups last season. Seniors Taurean Smith and Darvis McBride are the run stuffers on the inside, and they will have their work cut out for themselves as they line up behind one of the weakest defensive lines in the conference. The D-line has little to no returning experience. Sophomore Jared Clendenin is the most experienced, but he weighs in at just 230 pounds. The secondary is young also, with only one senior among the top eight players in this unit. Junior cornerback Dexter Taylor has the biggest upside here because of his athletic ability, but he is still behind in terms of experience as he spent most of last season as a backup QB.

Prediction: 9th Sun Belt – Western Kentucky went 0-5 against teams from the Sun Belt Conference last fall and it figures to take some time before it is competing for a conference title.

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