W. Kentucky -2/64 (#211) at Vanderbilt
Here is a battle between, by far the worst, bottom SEC team vs a top Conf-USA.
The Hilltoppers was so glad to have his record-setting QB Brandon Doughty granted
a fifth year eligibility for playing only 4 games in his first two years with the Hilltoppers.
QB Doughty was ranked at the top of QBs in the nation in just about every major categories.
And he will have everything he needs this year with last year's top three RBs,
three of its top four receivers, four OL with starting experience, and good overall depth.
The Hilltoppers passing attack thrived under coach Bobby Petrino for one year, then
under a bright young offensive minded head coach Jeff Brohm. The offense will
even improve this year with one more year of experience. The downfall last year
was a horrid defense, especially the Pass defense, but it has a chance to be better
this year with the top six defensive linemen, five of its top seven LBs, and six of its
top eight DBs are back. In another word, this Hilltoppers team will be better TY.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Commodores who were last in both offense
(#119) and defense (#106) rankings. There was some bright spots on the defense
especially on Pass defense (#50). This year head coach Derek Mason, a defensive coach,
is assuming the DC duty and will try to improve that porous defense. Though defense
has a chance to be better, I do not see much improvement on the offensive side
of the ball this year. Regardless how much the Commodores improvement on defense,
the Hilltoppers offense will still be too much for Vandy to handle. Take the Cats.