WKU Is 411/2-Point Underdogs In Scheduled Saturday Game Against Number 1 Ranked LSU Tigers Football Team.
Hilltoppers facing one of nation’s top defenses in LSU
By CHAD BISHOP
Western Kentucky’s offense knows what it’s going up against Saturday when it faces No. 1-ranked Louisiana State.
The Tigers (9-0) are statistically in the top 10 of five defensive categories and feature a roster full of talent on that side of the ball.
“They’re a typical SEC-looking defense,” WKU offensive coordinator Zach Azzani said. “They’re all tall, high-cut guys that can run. The d-linemen run like linebackers, the linebackers run like secondary guys and the secondary guys run like track stars. They’re a great-looking defense for sure.”
LSU is allowing just less than 11 points per game. Five times this season the Tigers have held an opponent to a touchdown or less, and that includes their 9-6 overtime win against No. 2-ranked Alabama last week.
The Hilltoppers (5-4) were held without a touchdown in the season opener against Kentucky in a 14-3 defeat.
“They don’t have many weaknesses,” junior tight end Jack Doyle said. “Pretty much, it comes down to doing our job. That’s all we can do, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Tigers are led up front by Sam Montgomery and Bennie Logan, who have combined for 65 tackles. Ryan Baker and Kevin Minter are the team’s leading linebackers, but LSU’s real strength comes from the secondary.
Four of the team’s top five tacklers are the defensive backfield with Brandon Taylor, Eric Reid - who likely saved a touchdown against Alabama with a key, fourth-quarter interception - Tyrann Mathieu, who fans call “Honey Badger,” and Morris Claiborne, who many believe will be a top-10 draft pick in the NFL.
“They’re pretty talented,” WKU quarterback Kawaun Jakes said. “They’re going to be going in the NFL draft, but I’m just looking to go down there and compete. They’re human just like us.”
If the Tops’ offense didn’t have enough to worry about facing the nation’s second-best rushing defense and third-best total defense, they also have to worry about 92,000 rabid fans making play-calling more than difficult.
The Houchens-Smith Stadium sound system has been turned to full volume this week to try to simulate the noise pollution.
“It kind of reminds us of last year playing at Nebraska the first game (of the season),” fullback Kadeem Jones said. “We’re working on the silent count and stuff like that to prepare for the noise.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, WKU was still 411/2-point underdogs heading down to Baton Rouge, La.
“Right now as a team, we’re going down there and we’re not backing down from no man and all us believe,” Jones said. “We believe in each other and we really feel like we’re going to pull off this win.”
By CHAD BISHOP
Western Kentucky’s offense knows what it’s going up against Saturday when it faces No. 1-ranked Louisiana State.
The Tigers (9-0) are statistically in the top 10 of five defensive categories and feature a roster full of talent on that side of the ball.
“They’re a typical SEC-looking defense,” WKU offensive coordinator Zach Azzani said. “They’re all tall, high-cut guys that can run. The d-linemen run like linebackers, the linebackers run like secondary guys and the secondary guys run like track stars. They’re a great-looking defense for sure.”
LSU is allowing just less than 11 points per game. Five times this season the Tigers have held an opponent to a touchdown or less, and that includes their 9-6 overtime win against No. 2-ranked Alabama last week.
The Hilltoppers (5-4) were held without a touchdown in the season opener against Kentucky in a 14-3 defeat.
“They don’t have many weaknesses,” junior tight end Jack Doyle said. “Pretty much, it comes down to doing our job. That’s all we can do, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Tigers are led up front by Sam Montgomery and Bennie Logan, who have combined for 65 tackles. Ryan Baker and Kevin Minter are the team’s leading linebackers, but LSU’s real strength comes from the secondary.
Four of the team’s top five tacklers are the defensive backfield with Brandon Taylor, Eric Reid - who likely saved a touchdown against Alabama with a key, fourth-quarter interception - Tyrann Mathieu, who fans call “Honey Badger,” and Morris Claiborne, who many believe will be a top-10 draft pick in the NFL.
“They’re pretty talented,” WKU quarterback Kawaun Jakes said. “They’re going to be going in the NFL draft, but I’m just looking to go down there and compete. They’re human just like us.”
If the Tops’ offense didn’t have enough to worry about facing the nation’s second-best rushing defense and third-best total defense, they also have to worry about 92,000 rabid fans making play-calling more than difficult.
The Houchens-Smith Stadium sound system has been turned to full volume this week to try to simulate the noise pollution.
“It kind of reminds us of last year playing at Nebraska the first game (of the season),” fullback Kadeem Jones said. “We’re working on the silent count and stuff like that to prepare for the noise.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, WKU was still 411/2-point underdogs heading down to Baton Rouge, La.
“Right now as a team, we’re going down there and we’re not backing down from no man and all us believe,” Jones said. “We believe in each other and we really feel like we’re going to pull off this win.”
Labels: College sports
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