Hannah Page, Staff Writer:
First week: Wisconsin. Second week: Maine (FCS). Quite the contrast, I should say. However, you never want a team to view a matchup as an easy or guaranteed win. Nor do you want them to play down. WKU did not give a perfunctory performance against Wisconsin, and there is no reason to believe that Maine will not give 100% against WKU. Against the FCS's Top 25 New Hampshire, Maine was able to execute a very well-balanced attack which led to a 35-7 victory. WKU's veteran defense showed up last week, and they will pose a much greater challenge to Maine than New Hampshire. WKU's offense faced some 1st half issues against Wisconsin's relatively young, aggressive defense; however, their production improved during the second half. I would expect this improvement to continue during the Maine matchup.
WKU: 37, Maine: 14
Sean Williams, Publisher:
When you're coming off the heels of an opening season loss to highly-talented Wisconsin team on the road. There is nothing like an FCS team waiting for you at home to help lick your wounds and increase a team's self confidence. Western Kentucky should win Saturday's home opener against Maine, however, the Black Bears will no doubt up a fight after coming off an impressive win over FCS #7 New Hampshire last week. I think Maine could possibly keep this close for a majority of the first half before the Hilltoppers get things together offensively and release the Black Bears into the FCS wilderness.
WKU 41, Maine 13
First week: Wisconsin. Second week: Maine (FCS). Quite the contrast, I should say. However, you never want a team to view a matchup as an easy or guaranteed win. Nor do you want them to play down. WKU did not give a perfunctory performance against Wisconsin, and there is no reason to believe that Maine will not give 100% against WKU. Against the FCS's Top 25 New Hampshire, Maine was able to execute a very well-balanced attack which led to a 35-7 victory. WKU's veteran defense showed up last week, and they will pose a much greater challenge to Maine than New Hampshire. WKU's offense faced some 1st half issues against Wisconsin's relatively young, aggressive defense; however, their production improved during the second half. I would expect this improvement to continue during the Maine matchup.
WKU: 37, Maine: 14
Sean Williams, Publisher:
When you're coming off the heels of an opening season loss to highly-talented Wisconsin team on the road. There is nothing like an FCS team waiting for you at home to help lick your wounds and increase a team's self confidence. Western Kentucky should win Saturday's home opener against Maine, however, the Black Bears will no doubt up a fight after coming off an impressive win over FCS #7 New Hampshire last week. I think Maine could possibly keep this close for a majority of the first half before the Hilltoppers get things together offensively and release the Black Bears into the FCS wilderness.
WKU 41, Maine 13
