2012-13 Football Previews – (Sun Belt) – W. Kentucky
Western Kentucky started the season 0-4 and it looked like it was going to be another miserable season for the Hilltoppers. The team came together and went 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference to finish 7-5 on the year. This is a team that just a few years ago lost 26 games in a row. Clearly, Willie Taggart is doing something right at Western Kentucky.
Sun Belt 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Western Kentucky
Head Coach: Willie Taggart
2011 Record: 7-5
Western Kentucky Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: (Part of Field) +1,800
Western Kentucky Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win Sun Belt: +900
W. Kentucky Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Despite finishing 7-5, Western Kentucky wasn’t invited to a bowl game. They were the only FBS team to finish with a winning record and not receive a bowl bid. Taggart says the team will use the bowl snub as extra motivation for this season. Unfortunately the team lost star running back Bobby Rainey to graduation. Rainey was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, and he rushed for 1,695 yards in 2011. Can the team continue its amazing turnaround without Rainey?
Team Strengths:
The Hilltoppers have a very nice defensive front. It is anchored by senior defensive tackle Jamarcus Allen. Quanterus Smith is one of the best pass rushers in the league, and he is a really tough guy to hold down. This isn’t the type of defensive line that the opposition will be able to just line up and run it against.
The secondary was mediocre last year, but they should be very good in 2012. Jonathan Dowling was a very highly touted safety in high school, and he transferred in from Florida. Expect Dowling to make a major impact for Western Kentucky. In addition, Kareem Peterson and Tyree Robinson look like future stars in the secondary. This group should be extremely tough.
Team Weaknesses:
Wide receiver is a position that is a major question mark for Western Kentucky. The team didn’t throw it too much last year, but it is still shocking that no receiver caught more than 20 passes or had over 200 yards receiving in 2011. There just isn’t anyone on the outside who can consistently get separation. It’s tough to open up an offense without any wideouts who are reliable.
The backfield at Western Kentucky won’t have any stars now. Losing Rainey is a huge blow, and while Antonio Andrews should be a decent replacement, it will still be a major downgrade. Kuwaun Jakes is a senior quarterback for the Hilltoppers, but he has 27 interceptions compared to just 29 touchdown passes in his career. He’ll have to be better this year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
2012-2013 Western Kentucky Football Prediction: 5-7
I still think Taggart is terrific for this program, but the offense will have serious problems adjusting to life without Rainey. Jakes isn’t consistent throwing the ball, and the wideouts aren’t good at getting open. The schedule is a difficult one, and it is hard to see this team finishing with a winning record in 2012.
Western Kentucky must play Arkansas State, FIU, and Lafayette (arguably the top three teams in the league) all on the road. I think the Hilltoppers will finish with five wins this season.
2012 WK Schedule
9/1/12 7:00 PM ET AUSPY
9/8/12 3:30 PM ET @ALAB
9/15/12 7:00 PM ET @KENTY
9/22/12 7:00 PM ET SOMIS
9/29/12 TBD @ARKST
10/11/12 7:30 PM ET @TROY
10/20/12 TBD ULMON
10/27/12 TBD @FLINT
11/1/12 9:15 PM ET MTENN
11/10/12 TBD FLATL
11/17/12 TBD @ULLAF
11/24/12 TBD NOTEX
