Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview: Taking On The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

We’ll win. By 35. At least. That’s honestly about as in depth as I really have to get for our first game of 2010, but for those loyal readers who follow this hack-job we like to call a blog around here, I figure I’ll go a bit more in depth for our match-up against the mighty Hilltoppers, who are entering their 2nd year in NCAA Div 1-A competition (Yes, 1-A.) That last statement begs a question: can Hilltoppers in fact, be mighty?

If anyone would like to Google (or Bing, whatever) an answer for that, let me know. If you actually succeed, you’ll receive a Seeing Red autographed Zima coozy. Save that one for your collection kiddies.

I’m done filling up space here. Let’s get down to it.

Defense

The Hilltoppers play a base 4-3, Cover 2 scheme. Nothing earth shattering there. Neither is the fact they they gave up an average of 478 yards per game, 7 yards per play, and 39.5 points per game in 2009. This includes 68 points to the offensive juggernaut that is North Texas and 62 to Middle Tennessee. In the Topper’s defense, MTSU did receive a few votes in the Coach’s Poll to be included in the Top 25. Like four votes, I think. But seriously, North Texas is the only thing you need to know.

 The defense is anchored by their DE’s (they call one of the ends the LEO position, for Left End…seriously??) The right DE is spot is played by Junior Jared Clendenin at 6’5″, 265 and the LEO spot *ahem* is occupied by Sophomore Quanterus Smith. At 6’3″, 239 he is definitely undersized for a DE and it appears they use him as the de-facto edge/speed rusher. I wouldn’t know, since I’ve never watched WKU play football. I assume taking a nap or eating a turkey sub would be more gratifying and more healthy for me at the same time. I would expect them to bring pressure from this side early and often. But seriously it’s not going to matter. I assure you. We are 33 lbs heavier per man across our OL, we’re more powerful, we’re faster, and we are simply just going to do whatever the hell we want to do to them.

Their linebackers all average 6’0″ and 232 lbs per man. In other words…they’re thick. Big and thick. Raise your hand if you think that adds up to “speed and lateral pursuit sideline to sideline.” Their names are not important. Suffice it to say that our OL is going to get to the second level often and oftener enough that these guys will find themselves unable to make plays. Our backs are going to be able to run right by and around them. Everything about their LB corps screams “mismatch” in our favor.

I can’t say much about their secondary, except that they’re a little on the light side and they seem to possess some quickness. Expect them all to be abused at will by Paul, Kinnie, and McNeil and it won’t make a difference who starts for us at QB on Saturday. The Good Guys will find the holes, seams, and frequently be running around so wide open that it should look like a 7 on 7 drill. If we don’t roll up somewhere in the neighborhood of 500+ yards on these clowns, our offensive staff needs to be beaten severely around the head, neck, and shoulders.

Offense
The offense for the Toppers isn’t much better than their defense. Seriously. They averaged 20.4 points per game, to go along with 147.9 passing and 172.8 rushing. Now you know why they lost all their games last year. 20 points per game flat isn’t going to cut it when your defense is giving up nearly 40 per game. Simple math there boys and girls.

They apparently switched schemes this year to a Pro Style/West Coast based offense from their Spread Zone/Read Option running game of last year. Okay, I confess. I did watch them play that Tennessee game last year where they just got shellacked. That’s how I know. They return starters at the RB, QB, and TE spots respectively and their #1 WR from last year is gone. That honor now falls upon Quinterrance Cooper, who had a whopping 20 receptions for 151 yards and no TD’s in 2009. But hey, he’s experienced. Their leading receiver entering this year is actually their tight end Jack Doyle, who hauled in 37 receptions for 365 yards and 1 TD. Marcus Vasquez will start at the other WR spot for them and had 19 catches for 176 yards and 2 TD’s last year. Really this is much to do about nothing, as they are simply no match for our secondary. Prince and Alfonso will blanket the receivers, their TE will find no space which will allow our DL even more time to twist their OL into various forms of orgami. If there’s actually a chance a team could have negative yards passing, this might be the game you see it in.

The biggest threats on offense for the Toppers is their RB Bobby Rainey and their QB Kawaun Jakes. Those two were their number #1 and #2 rushers last year with 939 yards and 355 yards respectively. Of course that was out of their spread scheme. With the switch to the West Coast offense, I expect lots of problems. Lots. Like oodles. Our line and backers should eat these guys whole. I fully expect our second string defense to be in at the start of the 3rd quarter and wouldn’t be surprised if they’re subbing in at the middle of the 2nd.

In short: this game is going to look a lot like their game against Tennessee last year. It’s going to be ugly.

Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.

Huskers 60. Hilltoppers 3.

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