Eligibility Analysis - Week 8: Western Kentucky
This week we'll take a look at another team vying for a spot in one of the 40 post-season bowl games. Next up: Western Kentucky:
General Information
Western Kentucky has a long, storied history on the gridiron. It started chucking the old pig skin back in 1922. In that just shy of a century history the Hilltoppers have accumulated 1 FCS (D1-AA) National Championship, 11 conference championships, and had 5 Consensus All-Americans. They have an all time record of 540–380–32 (.584). During their time in the FCS (D1-AA), they made 7 appearances in the NCAA Playoffs ('73, '75, '87, '88, '97, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04). Ending the '73 and '75 seasons as NCAA National Runners-Up, they finally made it over the hump to become National Champions in 2002.
Bowl History
Western Kentucky has played in a total of 5 bowl games in history sporting a fine 4-1 record. 3 of these bowls took place in modern times, while the other two were a win over Arkansas State in the Refrigerator Bowl in 1952 (34-19) and a win over Coast Guard in the Tangerine Bowl in 1963 (27-0). The modern era bowls the Hilltoppers have seen were a 2012 loss to Central Michigan in the Little Ceasars Bowl (21-24), a 2014 win over Central Michigan in the Bahamas Bowl (49-48) (revenge!), and last year's victory over South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl (45-35). Overall, Western Kentucky has had success in the post season.
2016 Bowl Outlook
The Hilltoppers can't decide what they want to do this year. They'll win one, and lose one. Win one, and lose one. In general, other than an outlier game or two, WKU has a relatively easy schedule.
With only 5 games remaining, the just have to win 2 of them to be eligible for their third straight bowl. And with 5 teams that have a current combined record of (13-19), two of which have 2 or less wins, I believe the last half of their schedule should be a cake walk.
What the Experts Say
ESPN FPI has WKU at finishing at about 8.5-4.1 on the season. They have the Hilltoppers at a 73% or greater chance to win each of their remaining 5 games and a SOS Remaining Rank of 125.
Atomic Football projects a 8-4 finish for the Hilltoppers.
My Take
This is a pretty east one. The experts really say it all. The only team that I see WKU might have a little trouble with is Old Dominion. They will have no problem becoming bowl eligible for the 3rd season in a row.
