WKU Football: Full 2020 Schedule Released
After a successful bounce-back season in 2019, WKU Football looks to take the next step in 2020 and compete for their first Conference USA Championship since 2016. Conference USA announced WKU’s 2020 football schedule on Wednesday afternoon.
While we already knew the opponents and some of the dates prior to today, we now can finally start analyzing WKU’s schedule and what it means for a potential CUSA Championship run in 2020.
Here are some thoughts about the 2020 schedule:
Big Opening Month
We should quickly learn a lot about WKU’s football team early in 2020. After an opening game against FCS Chattanooga (who we can’t take for granted after back to back losses to FCS teams), WKU will play three straight bowl teams. Indiana, Liberty, and Louisville are a schedule that should challenge WKU’s experienced team and give them a possibility for some buzz should they emerge 3–1 (or better) at the end of September. IU and Louisville both posted eight-win seasons in 2019 and are the kind of P5 opponents that could create buzz if WKU pulled off an upset (or two). They both return their quarterbacks and several key pieces in 2020. Liberty also finished 8–5 in 2019 and will be entering the second year of the Hugh Freeze era but must replace their starting quarterback and running back to start the season. The opportunity is there for WKU to make a statement early. If WKU emerges from September undefeated, they’ll have two P5 wins and put themselves in the conversation for the G5 New Years' six bowl spot.
Back to Back Rivalry Games
One of the biggest complaints that WKU fans have had about Conference USA is the lack of continuity it has with its conference scheduling. WKU’s two biggest rivals MTSU and Marshall have been all over the calendar since the Hilltoppers have joined the league. Now WKU will have to play them back to back in early October to start off the conference season. Both teams return high-level quarterbacks and it will be a tall task for WKU to get up for each emotional game (especially after regional rival Louisville). Conference USA didn’t do the Hilltoppers any favors with their rivals as one should be late in the season. The one bonus of WKU hosting Marshall so early is that it should at least be a fun atmosphere on October 10th as their fans actually travel compared to most of the league.
Fun Road Trips
With the potential of a special season, the schedule has played out perfectly for Hilltopper fans to follow their team across the region. Besides the six home games. WKU has four of its road games within less than a four-hour drive. WKU students and fans should be able to easily travel to IU, UofL, Middle Tennessee, and UAB should they want to and give the Hilltoppers support that usually isn’t seen in conference USA. That should make for a fun early angle on the first half of the season especially if the Tops can achieve at their expected level in 2020.
Toughest Stretch
The quadruple rivalry stretch from Louisville to UAB will be a very tall order for the Hilltoppers. While I think each game is winnable (with Louisville being the hardest), I certainly see WKU slipping up a few times if they can’t find a replacement for Ty Storey. WKU could play well and still end up 2–2 during that stretch. Hopefully, Tyson Helton and company can keep the team at an even keel during this brutal stretch.
Easiest Stretch
After the bye, the stretch from ODU to Southern Miss looks to be the slight breather on WKU’s schedule. ODU will be breaking in a new coach with Ricky Rahne and that game could easily be WKU’s homecoming opponent. Having to face defending CUSA Champion FAU in Boca should be tough especially with former head coach Willie Taggart on the sidelines but I’m skeptical that they’ll be able to withstand growing pains in the transition away from Kiffin’s system. Southern Miss should also be tough with Jack Abraham back but the game is in Bowling Green and the Golden Eagles lose several key players off of 2019's late-season meltdown. WKU would be wise to go 3–0 during this stretch if it is legitimately looking to win their first Conference USA Title since 2016.
Way Too Early Prediction
With 17 of 22 starters returning you can’t help but optimistic about the 2020 season. Today’s release of the schedule has tempered some of the enthusiasm for me. While I think each game on the schedule is certainly winnable, there will be many potential landmines across the way. The first half is absolutely brutal with high-level opponents and rivals all consecutively starting in week 2 until the bye week on October 24th. The schedule eases up but there are several teams (FIU, USM & Charlotte) that could be better in 2020 than 2019. With all that in mind, I say that Helton guides this team to a 9–3 finish with losses to Louisville, UAB & Charlotte. A 6–2 finish may be enough to still win the CUSA East depending on how the others finish.
Only time will tell how the 2020 season plays out. Stay tuned to the Towel Rack with all of your offseason news.
