Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2022 College Football Preview
June 28, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 9-5
ATS – 10-3-1
Now THAT was fun to watch.
The TOPPERS treated us to some serious fireworks and came on like a HOUSAFIRE after losing four of their first five games. They proceeded to rattle off seven consecutive victories (average margin of victory 26 points) before giving UTSA all they could handle in a 49-41 Conference USA Championship Game loss. Western Kentucky CREMATED a solid Appalachian St squad in the Boca Raton Bowl (W 59-38) and just scored another TD as we were typing this sentence.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Insane. Yup, there’s no other way to say it. QB Bailey Zappe (pew pew pew!) destroyed opposing secondaries in a comically efficient performance and came THIS close to throwing for 6,000 (!) yards on the season (69%, 5,967, 62-11 TD to INT). Zappe is off to the NFL (Patriots, because, of course) after setting the all-time FBS record for yards and TD passes in a single season. They also lose ace OC Zach Kittley who’s off to Texas Tech. The offensive scheme will be the same but the parts are MUCH less experienced. West Virginia transfer Jarret Doege appears to have a leg up in the starting QB battle but we’ll know more as the summer progresses. Losing the impossibly-productive duo of Jerreth Sterns and Mitchell Tinsley (combined 227 catches, 3,306 yards, 31 TD LY) is a KICK IN THE JACOBS but they still have a lot of experience with the return of their #3 and #4 guys and the addition of a pair of talented transfers. And don’t forget about star TE Josh Simon who missed all the fun LY due to injury. The TOPPERS need to reload at RB after losing their top-two and only return a pair of starting big boys up front. That could spell trouble as Western Kentucky allowed just 17 sacks whilst making 697 pass attempts LY.
DEFENSE
Western Kentucky did pretty well on defense LY considering they had so spend a lot of time on the field (#111 FBS time of possession) and they often didn’t have enough time to take their helmets off before they had to go back out. Yup, those 14 second, 80-yard drives by the offense have a downside. Seven starters return although they’ll need to replace their top-two tacklers including #1 sack producer and C-USA defensive POY DeAngelo Malone who’s off to the NFL. The DL should be fine with the return of DE Juwuan Jones and they have good size inside, the LB is experienced and talented, and three starters return on the back end. It won’t be easy to replace their excellent safety Antwon Kincade but we like the overall balance on defense and don’t think they’ll suffer too much. The TOPPERS had 36 sacks LY and they have a chance to be a really good stop unit if they can find a way to get to the QB without the aforementioned Malone.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The majority of the key pieces need to be replaced but the good news is that 1st Team C-USA PK Brayden Narveson is back for duty (72/72 XP, 23-29 FG LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They play 13 games due to the trip to Hawaii and draw both UAB (H) and UTSA (A) in conference play. Three of their last four games are ON THE HIGHWAY, and that includes a BODY BAG game at Auburn November 19th.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 1st – Troy
It’s a non-conference game and let’s see who’s up next….<wait for it>……UTSA.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline June 28
Over 8 +100
Under 8 -130
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That looks about right. There’s only one unwinnable contest, and once again, note that they play 13 games. The bad news? We project a lot of close ones that could go either way.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
BIG RED is the mascot of Western Kentucky University’s sports teams. Big Red was created in 1979 by student Ralph Carey who wanted to create something unique and far from the stereotype some folks have of Kentuckians. Mission accomplished, yo.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
All 870 genders can agree that the 2021 edition of Western Kentucky football was a ton of fun to behold. They have less talent on offense this year and will need time to come together as a potent unit, but the system should still allow them to do serious damage. The defense could be a hidden gem. We expect them to get better as the season goes along (again) and give them a longshot chance of sneaking into the conference title game for the 2nd straight season.
Want more Western Kentucky Football ?
WEBSITE
https://wkusports.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/western-kentucky/Board/Smith-Stadium-104579/
NEWS
https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/
https://wkuherald.com/category/sports/sports-football/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/98/western-kentucky-hilltoppers