WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Four — Indiana
Aaaand we’re back! The Tops had a bye week last week before they enter the hardest part of their non-conference schedule with two Big 10 teams back to back.
The first one will be at home against IU in what should be a huge game at the Houch. WKU lost to Army 38–35 last game and IU is trying to come back after losing to #8 Cincinnati 38–24. Most of our staffers predicted WKU beating Army which makes Jared and Sam the last two undefeated predictors.
But can they keep the streak going? Let’s find out!
Matt McCay (1–1)
I just can’t bring myself to do it. I see scenarios that WKU could win. WKU could go hog wild and pass for 500 yards and I think IU would have trouble keeping up. IU’s offense or special teams could just hand Western a few touchdowns. That would certainly help. WKU’s defense could just completely turn itself around and be the defense many thought it would be. Western’s running game could magically show up. But all of that is extremely unlikely, especially against a really good opponent.
WKU needs multiple complete and utter turnarounds in order to give themselves a chance. WKU hasn’t stopped the run. WKU hasn’t been able to run offensively. WKU’s special teams are pretty much a mystery, because they haven’t hardly been used. So WKU needs to just blow us away with everything we don’t know about them, and the things we think we know need to be proven wrong. Plus IU’s a Big Ten dark horse and hasn’t played its best football yet and this is a great chance to bust out and play well. I believe WKU proves to IU that they are no joke, but I’ve got IU winning fairly easily by making big plays on defense and special teams. Talent wins this one, Indiana: 38 — Western Kentucky: 24.
Jacob Gary (1–1)
Believe. In this case, I believe Indiana is in a slump. Granted, the Hilltoppers could just be a slump buster for them, but this is really a trap game. Penix Jr. looks like he is playing hurt. They turn the ball over a lot. Maybe, just maybe, WKU forces some turnovers and wins this game. I’ll probably be wrong on this one, but hey, I also probably won’t make a prediction where the Tops lose all year. #TopsOnTop. Give me the Tops winning 34–33.
Alex Sherfield (1–1)
For a team that received their fair share of preseason hype out of the Big Ten, they haven’t lived up to said expectations. After a 1-2 start that involves losses to Iowa & Cincinnati, Saturday’s game will determine the season in hungry fashion. It doesn’t help that we’re next on that list.
Thankfully, I believe that once Zappe & company figures out the Hoosiers defense, Saturday night should be a fun game. Keeping on the subject of defense, QB Michael Penix Jr. is looking for one game to ensure the hype around him. After a slow start marred by injuries, the Tops should not overlook him or this Hoosiers offense. I’d look for our rush defense to take advantage of a team who averages 3.6 yards a carry.
As long as we do not start slow (PLEASE), this can be a winnable game. It’s not going to be easy but anything is possible at The Houch. Let’s get this P5 victory and set the tone for the season. Give me WKU: 41, Indiana: 38.
Devin Stewart (1–1)
WKUs matchup with IU on paper seems like a straight forward thumping in the Houch. IU is a power five team, they’ve got good matchups for wku on both sides of the ball, and they’ve got a QB who’s name is one letter away from…well you get what I’m saying.
But as Lee Corso says: “NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!”
WKU has shown sparks of life, that are extremely promising coming into this IU game. IU has only beaten Idaho, who don’t know footballs from potatoes. Penix hasn’t lived up to his expectations after suffering an injury last season. He has less than half of Zappe attacks passing yards! WKU scored 21 unanswered points against a good Army defense. Plus we’ve had an extra week to prepare for this IU team. The pieces are here for an “upset”. IU was heavily over valued in the pre season rankings, and they’ve shown they’re a bottom feeder of the Big 10 (which btw has 14 teams, shouldn’t it be the Big 14?). Heck even Rutgers is ranked higher in their conference.
WKU has the pieces to win this game, and if they can’t figure it out or don’t show up, then IU will win.
But In Tops, I trust. Tops 28-IU 21.
Sam Gormley (2–0)
Cue my Herb Brooks impression in saying “great moments are born from great opportunity and that is what we have here tonight.”
Indiana makes the trip to Bowling Green as only the third ever Power Five opponent to play at the Houch. The previous two times saw the Tops fall in the big opportunity.
Tonight brings a new opportunity and a new chance to show the direction in which the program is headed. Indiana brings questions about the health of their starting quarterback while the Tops come in well-rested.
The concern for me centers around the WKU defense that struggled against Army. It is currently unclear whether this Indiana team is closer to last year’s or teams of the past, but they are going to be ready to make sure it isn’t the latter.
If the Hoosiers would have held on and beaten Cincinnati last week, I would have picked the Tops in this matchup. With them blowing a lead and being forced into a bit of a “must-win” situation, I got to pick the Hoosiers 38-30.
Jared Rosdeutscher (2–0)
WKU should have beaten Army. Had the defense shown up in the first half, the Tops would’ve left West Point with a big win. But that’s the problem: the Hilltopper defense just isn’t quite there yet.
Indiana isn’t a team to sleep on just because of their record. They could’ve beaten Cincinnati but their quarterback Michael Penix Jr. struggled and struggled with injury as well. He’ll be back for the the WKU game but he hasn’t been 100%. That makes me fear IU will turn to the run a lot, one of the Tops’ biggest weaknesses.
The Hoosier defense isn’t to be slept on either. Whenever you play a team in a power five conference, their depth and talent goes a lot further than most teams. The WKU offense vs the IU defense will be fun to watch and as Hoosier Huddle said in my interview with them, it’s a strength on strength battle.
As much as I see WKU trending the right direction offensively, I still see them struggling against a P5 team like IU. I think it will be a close game but ultimately I see the Hoosiers winning 42–34.
