2013 WKU Spring Football Analysis

2013 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers - Head Coach: Bobby Petrino

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

2013 Schedule
8/31 Kentucky
9/7 at Tennessee
9/14 at South Alabama
9/21 Morgan State
9/28 Navy
10/3 at ULM
10/12 OPEN DATE
10/16 Louisiana
10/26 Troy
11/2 at Georgia State
11/9 at Army
11/16 OPEN DATE
11/23 at Texas State
11/30 Arkansas State

Why To Be Excited Bobby Petrino is the head coach. Willie Taggart might have been a special talent to bring WKU to Sun Belt prominence, but Bobby Petrino is Bobby Petrino. Even if he’s just a rental for one season before taking over a bigger gig – helloooo, Illinois – it should be a good year with 16 starters returning and the pieces in place to come up with a more potent offense. Antonio Andrews is one of the nation’s best all-around backs, and Willie McNeal is a strong inside receiver who should thrive under the new coaching staff. The secondary that was among the best the Sun Belt returns intact, and Andrew Jackson is one of the nation’s best linebackers. However …

Why To Be Grouchy The defensive line needs retooling. The Hilltoppers led the Sun Belt in sacks, tackles for loss and run defense, but tackles Jamarcus Allen and Rammell Lewis are gone along with end Cole Tischer and superstar pass rusher Quanterus Smith. The offensive line that was such a key part of Taggart’s success loses the right side with guard Adam Smith and tackle Seth White gone, and starting quarterback Kawaun Jakes has to be replaced.

What Needs Working On The passing game has to be better. It was efficient last season with the offense revolving around Andrews and the running game, but the passing attack came up with the fewest yards in the Sun Belt and failed to hit the 200-yard mark over the final four games. On the other side, the pass rush has to get back on board after fizzling late in the season. After dominating early on, and with nine sacks against FIU, WKU came up with just three sacks over the final five games with Quanterus Smith neutralized before missing the last two games.

Non-Conference Games: Kentucky, at Tennessee, Morgan State, Navy, at Army
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Worst Case Record: 6-6
Likely Finish: 9-3
Pre-Preseason Projected Wins: at South Alabama, Morgan State, Navy, Louisiana, Troy, at Georgia State, at Army, at Texas State, Arkansas State
Pre-Preseason Projected Losses: Kentucky, at Tennessee, at ULM

Schedule Analysis: The Hilltoppers might be good enough to come up with a split in the SEC openers against Kentucky and Tennessee, and then it’s on to Sun Belt play with a trip to South Alabama. Kicking off with the date against Morgan State, WKU has just one away game from September 21st until November – an October 3rd Thursday night game at ULM. Week off to prepare for Louisiana is nice, and getting another bye week before going finishing up with Texas State and Arkansas State will be a huge help.

Team Concerns For 2013: Bobby Petrino has a nice base of players to work with. First, he needs to improve the passing game that was efficient, but didn't crank out a ton of yards averaging a mere 205 per game. Without quarterback Kawaun Jakes, 6-7 James Mauro will get the first shot to run the attack. The O line could be a little better in pass protection, and losing two starters on the right side won't help. The defense is loaded in the back seven with linebacker Andrew Jackson returning, but three starters are gone up front including starting tackles Jamarcus Allen and Rammell Lewis.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Receivers. This is a massive class with a boatload of pickups for several areas. The defensive line is LOADED with fresh bodies including JUCO transfer defensive tackle Maurice Bennett and 290-pound prepster Joe Fennell to make an instant impact for a front four that needs help. But this is a Bobby Petrino offense, and he's going to want receivers. Aaron Jackson and Cam Lewis are huge targets with great upside, and Jalen Edwards is a speedster who could be used in a variety of ways. Quarterback Todd Porter was an interesting recruit to develop, but will he still have Petrino around three years from now?

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 121. That Class Was Heavy On ... Head coach Willie Taggert is paving the road for down the road with the lines. The offensive line is about to get an important infusion to build for 2014 and beyond. The line might not be a need right now, but it’s going to get the most key players with some huge, HUGE bodies ready to blast away for the interior.

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 86. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive backs. Quality, not quantity. The Hilltoppers didn’t get many defensive backs, but they got some strong players to lock down the secondary right away. Champ Lewis is a tall, talented safety who blew off Maryland, South Florida, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and other mid-level BCS programs, and made Iowa State mad. Corner Eric Robinson-Berry committed to Louisville, ending others from going after him, and then decommitted to go to WKU. Quartterrio Morgan isn’t another Bobby Rainey, but he’s a quick, talented back for head coach Willie Taggart to make into a star.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 118. That Class Was Heavy On ... Quarterbacks. There are so many players brought in last season that there wasn't a ton of room for too many new players, but new head coach Willie Taggart wanted to upgrade the offense as soon as possible and he was able to sign JUCO bomber Matthias Pelesasa and all-around playmaker Brandon Doughty to give the team more options. WR Joel German could be a No. 1 target right away.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 84. That Class Was Heavy On ... Bulk. There’s a little of something for every spot with no one spot getting the complete and total focus. The team was awful last season with a tough mix of seniors and unproven young players, and this class is built to be a foundation for the next several years. The skill position players are the stars of the show with QB Courtney Dalcourt, RB Keshawn Simpson, and WR Jamarielle Brown all going to be fixtures by 2012.