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Wisconsin Football: Four reasons the Badgers will beat Western Kentucky

By Joe Orlofski

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 21: The Wisconsin Badgers flag is out against Northwestern Wildcats on November 21, 2015 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 21: The Wisconsin Badgers flag is out against Northwestern Wildcats on November 21, 2015 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Lynn/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football players Western Kentucky week one
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 24: Mike White #14 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers throws the ball prior to the game against the Florida International Golden Panthers on November 24, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

1. WKU Passing attack is inexperienced

Quarterback Mike White was a solid player for WKU, leading the offense for two seasons in 2016 and 2017.  In his junior season, he threw for 4,363 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions.  The following year he threw for 4,177 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.  White was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the NFL draft.

That means the Hilltoppers need to look for a new leader to emerge.  As of now, WKU hasn’t released an official depth chart, but it seems like either redshirt senior Drew Eckels or true freshman Kevaris Thomas will be under center Friday night.  Either way, the Hilltoppers will have an inexperienced player as a quarterback.  Eckels has attempted only 24 passes in the NCAA.

The Hilltoppers have relied heavily on the passing game for a few years now, but even though they have experienced wide receivers, they may have trouble moving the ball.  The one positive in all of this is that the Wisconsin secondary is pretty young and inexperienced itself, so whatever quarterback starts for WKU will have to challenge those defensive backs early.

Offenses flow through their quarterback, and in this case, the inexperience may lead to the demise of the Hilltoppers.