1* Free Play UNDER WKU/Vandy.

WKU owned one of the countries top offensive units last year and it will once again be a strength of for the 'Tops this season. If Western Kentucky wants to take its play to the next level though, clearly it needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball this season and the team draws a great opponent in its opener to test its new unit. The Hilltoppers got some good news in the offseason when UAB decided to shutdown its football program at the end of last year, making its players available for transfer and immediate eligibility. WKU would quickly grab senior Jontavious Morris, who upgrades the defensive line and the defensive unit as a whole. On the other side of the field, Derek Mason's start as Head Coach got off to a rocky start in 2014/15 as Vanderbilt would win just three games overall, while going a miserable 0-8 in the SEC. Vandy had no consistency at the QB position and it's going to be an issue again this year as new Offensive Coordinator Andy Ludwig is still trying to decide who will start as neither Wade Freebeck or Johnny McCrary have played well enough to stake a claim as the No. 1 guy. The offensive line was atrocious last season, the team averaged a league-worst 3.4 YPC, while also struggling to protect the QB. The Commodores though will benefit from more experience on both sides of the ball in 2014/15, but all signs once again point to a long and frustrating season. While there's sure to be some spectacular offensive plays in this one, we feel that the combination of WKU's improved defensive unit and Vanderbilt's issues at QB will result in this one falling UNDER the posted number.

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