Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.
2010 Record: 2-10 Sun Belt Record: 2-6 (9th) 2011 Returning Starters: 19; 7 offense, 10 defense, kicker, punter
Coach: Willie Taggart, 2-10 (1 year)
Offensive Coordinators: Zach Azzanni Defensive Coordinators: Lance Guidry
2011 Western Kentucky Players to Watch: OB Kawaun Jakes, RB Bobby Rainey, TE Jack Doyle, OT Wes Jeffries, CB Tyree Robinson, CB Anus Wright, DE Ouanterus Smith, DT Jamarcus Allen
2011 Western Kentucky Strengths:
Bobby Rainey ran all over the Sun Belt last season and had little trouble against Kentucky and Nebraska during non-conference outings. Rainey is a legit star for a program that’s in desperate need of a spark. Youth, speed and enthusiasm on defense could provide abig jump this season.
2011 Western Kentucky Weaknesses:
WKU has a new defensive coordinator in Lance Guidry and a young, impressionable defense in tow. The Hilltoppers are still one of the youngest teams in America and have little to no winning experience, as the program has won just two games over the past two seasons.
2011 Western Kentucky Offense:
While there is still spotty talent and a lack of quality depth along the two-deep depth chart, there is no questioning the ability of senior running back Bobby Rainey, one of the best players in the country most folks don’t know. Not only did the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year finish third in the nation in rushing last season, piling up 1,649 yards, but he also led the country in rushing attempts. Nine times, he rushed for more than 100 yards. Junior Kawaun Jakes emerged as the starter at quarterback last fall. He is solid as a passer, but he can also put pressure on defenses with his legs, which is key in coach Willie Taggart’s offense. Junior tight end Jack Doyle is big and possesses good hands, but he missed the last five games of last season and most of spring with concussion symptoms. The Hilltoppers need second-leading receiver Marcus Vasquez, who sat out spring practice with a broken collarbone, to return, especially after their top receiver, Willie McNeal, was lost to a knee injury. Western wants to continue running the ball and controlling the clock like last year, when it led the league and finished fourth in the country in time of possession (33:03). Leading the offensive line is senior left tackle Wes Jeffries, an all-league candidate.
2011 Western Kentucky Defense:
While Rainey has star power, the most talent is on the defensive side of the ball, although the Hilltoppers have their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years in Lance Guidry. He coached Miami (Ohio) to a bowl victory in an interim role after RedHawks coach Michael Haywood took the Pitt job. The strength of the team is up front, where four starters return, highlighted by junior Quanterus Smith, an all-league candidate at end who led the team in sacks and was second in tackles for a loss. Last season’s best defender and top tackler, second-team All-SBC linebacker Thomas Majors, has graduated, leaving a gaping hole to fill. But waiting in the wings is junior Tye Golden, who’s talented but inexperienced. After getting thrown into the fire as freshmen, Arius Wright and Tyree Robinson should be much improved this season. They should develop into one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.
2011 Western Kentucky Special Teams:
Kicker Casey Tinius should still have his job entering the fall despite having a dreadful 2010 season in which he went six of 15 on field-goal tries. Backup Monte Merrick could make a push, but he wasn’t able to do enough last season to take the job away. Hendrix Brakefield made every punt for WKU in 2010 as a true freshman, averaging 40.5 yards.
| 2011 Western Kentucky Football Schedule | Western Kentucky Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Western Kentucky Predictions:
Taggart knows how to build a program. He joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Stanford in 2006 following an 1–11 season, then helped build the Cardinal into a winner. And the former WKU quarterback was offensive coordinator for the Hilltoppers under Harbaugh’s dad, Jack, when the team won the Division I-AA national title in 2002. The Hilltoppers aren’t quite ready to contend for a league title, but they are headed in that direction. Taggart has signed two straight recruiting classes that have been ranked as the best in the league. He will soon have the talent that rivals or even surpasses the top teams in the Sun Belt. In the meantime, the Hilltoppers will continue to climb the conference ladder. A . 500 record in league play should be the goal in 2011.
2011 Western Kentucky Betting Odds:
Western Kentucky Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000
Will Western Kentucky go to a Bowl Game this season or will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Western Kentucky Football Betting at our feature sportsbooks. College Football Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of loot placing informed, smart Utah bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.
NCAA Football Handicapping Picks
Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.
Bet on Western Kentucky
If you are looking for the best Online Sportsbook to bet on the Western Kentucky this season, then BetOnline.com with their Better Bonus Guarantee, is the place for you. BetOnline.com has NCAA Football Betting Lines and Odds, along with a tons of futures on the 2011 Season, so get your college football bets in early while the lines are hot!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.