WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Twelve — FAU
A lot riding on this game with two of the best teams in C-USA East competing each other. It’s also senior day for the Tops are they prepare for their last home game as well so emotions and stakes will be high today.
So how do we see this big East side matchup going? Let’s find out!
Matt McCay (8- 2)
Well, here is what should be the first real test for the Tops since UTSA. Or at least one would think that. I don’t know about you, but it’s so weird for Willie Taggart to be on the other sideline. That’s my guy. He’s a Topper. What’s he doing over there? Anyway, I digress. But FAU is a good football team. They may have lost their last two games and seem to be on a skid, but I wouldn’t count them out. ODU is a different team now that they have made decisions to play more prolific personnel. Marshall is playing well despite losing last week to a really good UAB team. So FAU is better than a .500 record overall and certainly better than a .500 C-USA team. Respect them.
I still feel like WKU is on a different level now that the Tops have a defense. WKU’s offense is just too much for most teams, and I don’t think FAU is a team that is going to magically score 50 against the Tops. They did beat FIU by scoring 58, so it is absolutely a possibility that they could score enough. However, I think that type of performance is a complete outlier and it’s unlikely to be repeated. FAU is dangerous enough, though. They have enough athletes defensively. They’re well-coached by people Topper fans know. But I’ve still got WKU winning just because of the offense. Watch out for the ballhawking secondary and the defensive line, which has not produced a ton of sacks but has 11 more qb hits than its opponent. They’re right there knocking on the door of big sacks and get there a hair late. Those hits still affect the game.
I’ve got WKU winning with relative ease on senior day, 41-24 #43set
Alex Sherfield (6–4)
The Willie Taggart homecoming runs through senior day at WKU. Even though the odds are in our favor for a final victory of the season at home, this Owls team is ready to be a thorn in our side.
Miami transfer quarterback N’Kosi Perry is as good as advertised. He has 17 touchdowns to 4 interceptions in an offense that averages 412 yards a game.
Johnny Ford is also another halfback that the Tops defense is gonna have to take seriously. With 735 yards & five touchdowns, he is expected to be a threat as he averages 6.7 yards a carry, which is atop of CUSA.
The biggest worry is our offensive line trying to protect Zappe and Company. More than at least 10 FAU defenders have a tackle for loss to their credit and could spell trouble for the run game. Show up and show out for the Tops.
Give me WKU: 36, FAU: 24
Jacob Gary (5–4) — no Rice prediction
WKU continues to roll forward, with their last home game of the season zappe will shine and after halftime the hilltoppers will pull away from FAU in part from the defense forcing a few second half turnovers.
Western Kentucky: 38, FAU: 21
Devin Stewart (7–3)
Short and sweet. Give me WKU: 42, FAU: 27
Sam Gormley (9–1)
Ah, Willie Taggart finally makes his return to Bowling Green. The FAU-WKU games on the gridiron have always been memorable for me. Whether it was Big Red and their mascot Owsley getting into a “fist fight” (yes, I know it was done in a joking manner) or Lane Kiffin pointing at the scoreboard when talking with the student section.
The question is, what crazy thing will happen on the FAU sideline this week? Well, I think you’re going to be seeing a lot of hands-on hips from their defense in disbelief. Why? Well, Bailey Zappe of course. How could I not predict him to have a big game?
Willie’s return will not go as planned and the Tops win 49–31 and inch closer to a rematch with UTSA.
Jared Rosdeutscher (9–1)
FAU is coming back from a major letdown after losing to ODU so I really don’t know what to think of this Owls team anymore. Obviously I still think they’re a threat and this game will be closer than some of the previous for WKU but Zappe is on fire along with the rest of the offense and the defense is hitting their stride right now.
I think WKU can finally get it done against the Owls today on senior day and beat FAU 38–27.
