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NCAA Football Betting Online: It’s been a meteoric rise for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky has laid the blueprint for other programs making the jump from the FCS to the FBS level. In just 10 years, the Hilltoppers have transitioned from an independent to a team that is considered one of the best mid-major teams in college football. That success has meant a revolving door at the head coaching position though, with the Hilltoppers now on their fourth head coach in the last six seasons.
2017 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at a Glance
Western Kentucky National Championship Odds:
Western Kentucky Odds to Win Conference USA:
Western Kentucky Regular Season Win Total:
A focus on having a high-powered offense has fueled Western Kentucky’s ascent. That shouldn’t be any different in 2017 as former Boise State and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford takes over the coaching duties from Jeff Brohm. This is Sanford’s first head coaching gig, but he has a reputation as an offensive guru and this will be one of the best offenses in the nation again.
Mike White is going to be a big part of that. White’s passing was the reason that this was the top offense in the country last year. He was extremely efficient with an over five-to-one touchdown to interception ratio and averaged 10.49 yards an attempt. The Hilltoppers must replace a lot of their skill position players, but this offense has been plug and play at wide receiver. Getting Leon Allen back would be huge if he can stay healthy as he was one of the best running backs in the nation in 2014.
The defense could be a concern. Although the Hilltoppers allowed fewer points than anyone else in Conference USA last season, only five starters return from that unit. Additionally, the unit thrives when the offense jumps out to a lead and they can pin their ears back and not worry about the run game. If the offense sputters, the defense is going to be more vulnerable.
This isn’t a tough slate by any stretch. The Hilltoppers do have road games at Illinois and Vanderbilt, but both are winnable. They play their two toughest conference foes, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee State, at home. However, they have difficult road games before each of those two.
2017 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Schedule
September 2: Western Kentucky vs. Eastern Kentucky
September 9: Western Kentucky at Illinois
September 16: Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech
September 23: Western Kentucky vs. Ball State
October 7: Western Kentucky at UTEP
October 14: Western Kentucky vs. Charlotte
October 20: Western Kentucky at Old Dominion
October 28: Western Kentucky vs. Florida Atlantic
November 4: Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt
November 11: Western Kentucky at Marshall
November 17: Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee State
November 25: Western Kentucky at Florida International
List of Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Seasons
| Year |
Record |
Bowl Game |
| 2016 |
11-3 |
W – Boca Raton Bowl |
| 2015 |
12-2 |
W – Miami Beach Bowl |
| 2014 |
8-5 |
W – Popeyes Bahamas Bowl |
| 2013 |
8-4 |
|
| 2012 |
7-5 |
L – Little Caesars Bowl |
| 2011 |
7-5 |
|
| 2010 |
2-10 |
|
| 2009 |
0-12 |
|
| 2008 |
2-10 |
|
| 2007 |
7-5 |
|
This program owes an eternal debt of gratitude to Willie Taggart. Taggart’s predecessor David Elson had won just two games in 2008 and 2009 and Taggart was left with one of the biggest renovation projects in college football. He proved to be a tireless recruiter and slowly built the program into the mid-major power it is today. Taggart never won more than seven games and left after three seasons, but left a lot of talent in Bowling Green.
Although Bobby Petrino was only in town for one season, his hire showed how serious the school was about fielding a winning team. Petrino kept the ball rolling and the school was able to use his buyout money to make some needed improvements to the program.
Brohm left Western Kentucky as the most successful coach in school history. Two Conference USA titles and three straight bowl wins have the Hilltoppers as the envy of the rest of the conference. Sanford will be expected to make it three straight conference crowns, but there are enough questions surrounding this team that it isn’t a runaway favorite.
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