The 2013 Western Kentucky football schedule includes 5 home games, 6 road games and a neutral site game. They do have just 4 bowl teams from last year on a schedule that is highlighted by BB games vs SEC teams Kentucky and Tennessee to open up the season. Their full schedule is listed below, but first let's preview the 2013 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
I like this Hilltopper team, even with the coaching change. Taggart did not leave the cupboard bare as they return 14 starters, while losing just 13 lettermen from last years team that went 7-6.
With QB Jakes gone, the offense will look to rely on RB Antonio Andrews, who had 3161 all-purpose yards to lead the nation last year. He ran for 1728 yards and 11 Tds last year and could put up big numbers again, especially behind an OL that features 4 seniors and a junior. Looks like Brandon Doughty will take over at the QB spot, after tossing 314 yards in the spring game. Their top WR is gone from last year, but Willie McNeal returns after catching 43 passes for 556 yards and of Course Antonio Andrews is back after grabbing 37 passes for 442 yards last year. Overall 6 players are back that caught at least 12 passes. 82 career starts return to OL and that help the new QB and running game immensely.
Defensively the Hilltoppers were solid last year, allowing 25.5 ppg and 348 ypg. This year they have 7 starters back and will see this unit improve this year. MLB Andrew Jackson is the heart and soul of this defense and is coming off a year in which he had 122 tackles, including 15.5 TFL and 2 sacks. The strength of this defense is their defensive backfield, where all 4 starters return, with 3 of them being seniors and 1 is a junior. This a very talented and experience secondary that Phil Steel has ranked tops in the SBC. Oh yeah he also has the LB corps ranked tops as well.
Offensively this team has playmakers all over the place and if Doughty can play like he did in the spring game then they could easily average around 33 ppg. The defense will be improved over last year with an excellent back 7 and good depth as well. Bobby Petrino is an excellent coach and has something to prove after his off the field debacle at Arkansas, that led to him being fired. Look for WKU to compete for the SBC Title this year, while grabbing themselves a second bowl invite in a row. Key Trends: 10-2 ATS on the road vs sub .500 opponents... 8-1 ATS off a SU dog win... 1-5 ATS as non-conf home dogs of less than 26 points.
2013 Western Kentucky Schedule
A 31 vs. Kentucky
S 7 at Tennessee
S 14 at South Alabama
S 21 vs. Morgan State
S 28 vs. Navy
O 3 at ULM
O 15 vs. Louisiana
O 26 vs. Troy
N 2 at Georgia State
N 9 at Army
N 23 at Texas State
N 30 vs. Arkansas State
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