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Big Red Invades Neyland Stadium as Western Kentucky Takes on Tennessee

There are few things in sports that can top Neyland Stadium in Knoxville for big time atmosphere and Big Red’s visit this weekend should be a test of the newest edition of WKU’s football team under storied coach Bobby Petrino. Tennessee is also under the new football coach Butch Jones and they are likewise hoping to win their second game in as many starts.

If you read comments from Tennessee fans, you would think that WKU has as little chance as Austin Peay had in this game. But, while I am not going to go out on a limb and favor WKU in this match up, I will say that WKU can win this game, even without seeing any UT film. So my opinion is based solely on my observation of WKU in the Kentucky game.

The Toppers can win this game mostly because they know what they are doing and I don’t think that they will get intimidated in the face of around 100,000 fans in Neyland Stadium. All things being equal, WKU should be able to hold their own against the Vols, and due to Petrino’s savvy as a play caller, have a chance to win simply because he has such a great ability to deceive defenses. This Topper team is without question the best team WKU has ever put on the field. Not only do the Tops have good athletes, talented players and good coaches, but they also have a discipline and confidence that hasn’t existed before. No more hype, no fanfare, really, just very organized and well played football.

Big Red Invades Big Orange Country

Even if the Tops don’t win, they will make an impression in Knoxville this weekend. The newest edition of Topper football isn’t the same as the last team to visit Knoxville, and Topper football is no longer an upstart program in FBS. This team has enough of what it takes to make an impact this season. Of course there are weaknesses here and there but all in all this team looks the part and it is hungry.

Defensively, the Tops may not be a dominating force on the line, but it is adequate. It does give up big plays, and maybe they will fix that, but the truth is, anywhere today in college football, the defense has a harder job than the offense. However, the Tops do possess guys on defense that can make big plays and gash the opponent with big hits and if the experienced defensive backfield actually holds on to interception ops then the there is a high degree of pick 6 success.

Big Red Invades Knoxville With A Varied Offense

One of the possibilities that is encouraging for the Tops as Big Red invades Neyland Stadium is for the offense to offer a varied attack. Petrino’s offense is such that the defense doesn’t really get much opportunity to stop a play, because the plays develop quickly. Brandon Doughty proved himself as a cool head and dependable passer in game one against Kentucky, and while the Vols will probably succeed in putting more pressure on him, Doughty’s ability to get the ball out fast will serve him well. In addition, the variety of targets and an exciting stable of running backs all give the defense a lot to handle. It may be true that the Tops don’t have any 5 star prospects on the roster, the fact is, the players they do have are perfect for the roles they fill and they get in the hole and position quickly.

So, Western’s offense will have success in Knoxville and barring any turnovers should be able to score points. Tennessee playing Austin Peay is a far shot from Western Kentucky having played Kentucky, and while it could be claimed that Kentucky is no Tennessee, it certainly is much better than Austin Peay. Tennessee actually didn’t glean much from the first game, but WKU got some real experience from the UK game.

The line is around 14 points right now, and I am sure WKU will cover that spread. This game will not be a blow out. The Vols will have a lot to cheer about, but so will the Tops, and in a game where the Tops have nothing to lose, that could make all the difference.

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