WKU Football: Hilltoppers vs. Middle Tennessee — Initial Thoughts

Nevermind the old players — Dalton Ground made this for us last year and we won’t let it go to waste.

For the first time this year, we are coming off a WKU conference loss and I’m feeling…okay about it? I — and honestly, no one on the writing staff — really thought the Tops had a chance on Saturday and, much in the same vein of the FAU loss, there is a lot of positives to take away from the Marshall performance.

If WKU ever wanted to put together their best 60 minutes of football together for the season, Friday night will be the time to do it as they host MTSU for not only the 100 Miles of Hate, but also with both teams seeking bowl eligibility.

Before we dive too deep into this matchup, lets get some initial thoughts out of the way:

• Heading into the season, you might have thought this game would decide the Eastern division? How silly do you feel now?
• Honestly though, as disappointing of a season this has been for the Tops, I think MT’s season has been even more so. They have a few good wins (a road victory at Syracuse and a home win against FIU) but basically have been stumped in CUSA play, falling to FAU, UAB and Marshall.
• All-world stud receiver Richie James has been battling injuries all season long, which is a shame but also is a big break for WKU. The last game James played was the Marshall game back on 10/20.
• Before digging into the Matt’s Stats on this one, I’m going to go out on a limb and say I think — I think — the Tops are going to take this one, and with relative ease.
• Let’s not forget how awesome this series has been since the Tops joined CUSA. Aside from the throttling at The Houch in Doughty’s last year, this is a series that has seen multiple multi-OT games lately. I don’t think this game will go down that rout, but you never know.
• This is the final CBS Sports Network football game for WKU this year. Which means, for all you out-of-towners, like 30 of you will get to see it. Let me put it into perspective for you — for my day job, I work at a local CBS affiliate, and WE DON’T GET THE CHANNEL INSIDE OUR STATION. Whatever, I’m not bitter about it or anything.