Topping the to-do list: Become this year’s Marshall.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

The Thundering Herd was the face of Conference USA’s in 2014, winning 13 games and carrying the league banner to a national audience. The Toppers want to be that team in 2015. Western Kentucky enjoyed an auspicious debut in the conference, cranking out points, breaking or tying 50 records and handing Marshall its only loss of the year, 67-66.

Now, the Hilltoppers want to take their high-octane circus to an entirely new level. This team has the firepower and the tailwind to once again rewrite the school record books, capture the league crown and possibly enter the discussion for New Year’s Six bowl game.

Western Kentucky has come a long way since joining the FBS as an Independent in 2008. The Hilltoppers played six years in the Sun Belt Conference, peaking under Willie Taggart in 2012 with a school-first bowl invitation. But it was last season, its first in Conference USA, that the program truly began to take flight as an FBS member. And now the Tops are eyeing new heights in Jeff Brohm’s second season at the helm.

WKU was a bit of a novelty act in 2014, highly entertaining, yet lacking the consistency, especially on defense, to compete for a league championship. But with so many central characters from last season’s 8-5 finish back, the Hilltoppers are poised to take the next steps in their FBS evolution, such as winning a title and standing out among the other four Group of Five champs.

The Tops could be the nation’s highest scoring team in 2015, fueled by the prolific backfield duo of QB Brandon Doughty and RB Leon Allen. The rub, however, is that WKU might also be among the country’s highest scoring defenses as well. And while this is not the kind of program that’s going to be sparked by its D, Western Kentucky must make some defensive progress to fulfill this season’s lofty expectations.

These are heady times on the Hill. Not since the back end of the Jack Harbaugh era, at the beginning of this century, have expectations been this high for Western Kentucky football. The Toppers are going to score a ton of points in 2015.

But posting monster numbers alone won’t be enough this fall. WKU wants to be the Conference USA front man, much the way Marshall was last season.

What you need to know about the offense: All fantasy team owners must have at least one Hilltopper in their portfolio in 2105, because few FBS programs will consistently produce gaudier numbers this season. The year after averaging 44 points per game, Western Kentucky will be every bit as potent, as almost every key component returns to the two-deep. Back from a record-setting 2014 are QB Brandon Doughty, who led the country with 49 touchdown passes, RB Leon Allen and four players who caught at least 40 passes. Injuries or inclement weather might be the only thing capable of slowing down the Toppers in 2015. The team must break in a new center and right tackle, but neither void is likely to hamstring an attack that has so much experience and such a plethora of viable options. Against mediocre defenses, which applies to the majority of Conference USA units, Western Kentucky should be able to name its number, deftly mixing Doughty’s darts with the running of Allen and underrated Anthony Wales.

What you need to know about the defense: The Western Kentucky defense performed in 2015 as if, well, it was facing the Western Kentucky offense each weekend. The Hilltoppers afforded easy access to the opposition, yielding at least 42 points on eight separate occasions. And while being on the field too much was certainly an issue, so was poor tackling and a general sense of confusion throughout the season. Beleaguered coordinator Nick Holt is going back to the basics this offseason, determined to manufacture a stingier production from a roster littered with returning letterwinners and upperclassmen. Holt’s kids, including transfers from UAB and the JUCO ranks, are clearly experienced, but will it make a difference on Saturdays? Although Western Kentucky will once again be spearheaded by a potent offense, defensive improvement is necessary to become more than a mediocre, one-trick program. It’s worth noting that the Tops gave up an average of 48 points in last season’s five defeats.

What to watch for on offense: Next up at tight end. The Hilltoppers are developing a tradition at tight end, with Jack Doyle playing for Indianapolis and Mitchell Henry coming off a 32-catch final season. A drop-off at the position, though, is not expected. Tyler Higbee and Tim Gorski are experienced and well-sized redshirt seniors. While the latter is a solid blocker, the former caught four touchdown passes. Both players will be important targets for Brandon Doughty as the outside receivers draw maximum attention from opposing defenders.

What to watch for on defense: Better tackling. The Toppers must improve on D this year. Actually, it’ll be tough to get much worse after ranking 124th nationally in yards per play allowed. Coordinator Nick Holt will have some new troops, including UAB transfers Jontavius Morris and T.J. McCollum. But he’s going back to basics this offseason to put forth a more competitive defense. Western Kentucky focused on the basics of tackling this spring, a regimen that will continue again in the summer.

The team will be far better if … it forces more field goal tries. Opponents are still going to go up and down the field on the Hilltoppers, due in large part to their own offense’s abbreviated scoring drives. But the D can help the overall cause by stiffening more often when the other guys are mounting a drive. Western Kentucky ranked 83rd nationally in red-zone touchdown percentage, a huge reason why the team dropped four games decided by eight points or fewer during the first half of 2015 alone.

The Schedule: Western Kentucky plays seven games away from home, but its two most important league contests with Louisiana Tech and Marshall will take place On the Hill.
– The Hilltoppers’ hopes of being crowned the king of the Group of Five are aided by three road games at Power Five opponents, Vandy on opening day, Indiana and LSU.
– Leading up to the crucial season-ending visit from Marshall, Western Kentucky will be off on Nov. 14 and traveling to FIU on Nov. 21.
– Western Kentucky could be a little weary once October comes to a close, having wrapped the month with three straight road contests at North Texas, LSU and Old Dominion.
– Every game this season will be played on Saturday, which could impinge upon the program’s ability to showcase QB Brandon Doughty and one of the most prolific offenses in the FBS.
– WATCH OUT FOR … Florida International. Not only are the Panthers a feisty and improving bunch, but they’re also hosting in Miami the week before Western Kentucky’s must-see sequel with Marshall.

Best offensive Player: Senior QB Brandon Doughty. Doughty will begin the 2015 campaign as one of the country’s most prolific and experienced quarterbacks, a dramatic ascent after struggling two seasons ago. The sixth-year passer destroyed the school record books last year, becoming a far more confident and competent triggerman of Jeff Brohm’s offense. And Doughty’s grasp of the system and comfort level with a veteran collection of skill players mean passing records are likely to crumble again this fall on the Hill.

Best defensive Player: Senior LB Nick Holt. Coordinator Nick Holt can use a few more defenders like his son. On a defense that often struggles with the basics, Holt is a fundamentally sound tackling machine with a great motor and a high football IQ. In his first season out of junior college in California, he proved to be a good fit in the middle of the D, diagnosing and filling lanes as quick as any of the Western Kentucky defensive players. And Holt ought to be even better now that he has a full season of FBS reps behind him.

Key player to a successful season: Sophomore DE Derik Overstreet. After finishing his rookie season out of high school with a flurry, Overstreet needs to become one of the catalysts up front for the Hilltoppers. The unheralded recruit started the final seven games of 2014, and his only two sacks came in the Bahamas Bowl to earn him Defensive MVP honors. That final statement in Nassau needs to be the spark that leads to more consistent results, because WKU is in the market for defensive playmakers in 2015.

The season will be a success if … the Hilltoppers cap a 10-win regular season by winning their first outright league title since taking the Ohio Valley Conference in 2000. A perfect record might have been a realistic pursuit if a trip to Baton Rouge didn’t loom on Oct. 24. However, Western Kentucky has the single best unit in Conference USA, a high-octane offense that will shred any of the league’s defenses. With so much firepower, 2015 goes down as a disappointment if the Tops don’t add hardware to the trophy case in December.

Key game: Sept. 12 vs. Louisiana Tech. The visit from Marshall on Nov. 28 will be enormous, and could very well decide the East Division. But if the rematch of last year’s 67-66 thriller with the Herd is going to matter, Western Kentucky must first pass the early tests on the schedule. Skip Holtz has La Tech playing well, including last November’s 59-10 demolition of the Toppers in Ruston. If Western Kentucky wants to prove it’s better than last season’s 8-5 mark, it can begin by exacting revenge on the Bulldogs in Week 2.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Points per game: Western Kentucky 44.4 – Opponents 39.9
– Yards per play: Western Kentucky 7.0 – Opponents 6.7
– Sacks: Western Kentucky 26 – Opponents 19

Players You Need To Know

1. QB Brandon Doughty, Sr.
When Doughty was granted a sixth year of eligibility for a medical hardship, the entire tenor of the 2015 season changed for the Hilltoppers. The 6-3, 210-pounder was a breakout star in his second year as a starter, leading the country with 49 touchdown passes and 4,830 yards. And testament to his accuracy and decision-making, Doughty completed 68% of his passes, while being picked off on just 10 of his 552 throws. He won’t run much, though he will escape pressure, and his grasp of the WKU system is second only to head coach Jeff Brohm.

2. RB Leon Allen, Sr.
Just because Western Kentucky is a pass-first production on offense does not mean that it ignores the backs. In fact, the Hilltoppers were surprisingly balanced in 2014, led by Allen’s 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns on 272 carries. At 6-0 and 235 pounds, he’s the quintessential backfield workhorse, dishing out more punishment than he endures. Allen peaked against Army last Nov. 15, setting a school and conference record with 345 rushing yards on 33 carries.

3. WR Jared Dangerfield, Sr.
Dangerfield didn’t get much respect coming out of high school. But after an apprenticeship at Fort Scott (Kans.) Community College and a Second Team All-Conference USA debut with the Hilltoppers, he’ll be impossible to overlook in 2015. The 6-3, 200-pound Dangerfield has excellent length and ball skills, which he uses to exploit opposing defensive backs over the top. He’s also dangerous after the catch, turning last season’s team-high 69 grabs into 825 yards and 11 touchdowns.

4. LB Nick Holt, Sr.
Holt followed his dad, the Topper defensive coordinator by the same name, to Western Kentucky, where he instantly became one of the leaders from inside linebacker. The City College of San Francisco transfer registered a team-high 111 tackles, seven stops for loss and four quarterback hurries on the year. Holt is physical at the point of contact, and he plays with the instincts, intensity and fundamentals of a coach’s son.

5. LT Forrest Lamp, Jr.
Lamp was named honorable mention All-Conference USA in 2014. He deserved a better fate from league voters. Brandon Doughty’s blindside protector has started 22 consecutive games, grading out as Western Kentucky’s best blocker in every regular season game last fall. After beginning his career at guard, the 6-4, 296-pound Lamp has settled in rather well at left tackle, where his light feet and athleticism are consistently on display.

6. WR Taywan Taylor, Jr.
After being a little overwhelmed as a true freshman, the game started to slow down for Taylor in 2015. He cracked the lineup and caught 45 passes for 767 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging a healthy 17 yards per grab. Taylor is a strong and athletic 6-1, 190-pounder, with the ability to rack up yards after the catch. And with two more years of eligibility remaining, the best is still ahead for No. 2.

7. LB Dejon Brown, Sr.
Brown was recruited out of Mt. San Jacinto (Calif.) Community College by Jeff Brohm’s staff to pitch in immediately on D. And he did not disappoint. The 6-3, 235-pounder brought seasoning and excellent size to the Hill in his first season at an FBS program. Brown was consistent throughout his debut versus the run, ranking second on the team with 78 tackles, eight of which were behind the line of scrimmage.

8. CB Wonderful Terry, Sr.
Prior to last season, Terry had never played a game at the FBS level. His transition from Garden City (Kans.) Community College, though, went much smoother than expected. In fact, Terry earned a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team, despite coming off the bench for much of the year. The big-play Terry scored three defensive touchdowns in 2014, while making 43 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high eight passes defended.

9. DT Bryan Shorter, Sr.
Shorter provides a push from the inside for a weathered defense that must pressure the pocket more in 2015. Playing as a full-timer for the first time last season, he made 44 tackles and 7.5 stops for loss, and tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks. While Shorter is just 6-2 and 285 pounds, he’s very quick off the snap, and he uses his leverage to get underneath the pads of opposing blockers.

10. WR Antwane Grant, Sr.
There are plenty of balls to go around in this high-powered Topper passing game. And Grant made sure to stake claim to his piece of the pie, making 41 grabs for 509 yards and six touchdowns in his first year out of Nassau (N.Y) Community College. At 6-1 and 195 pounds, Grant’s size is a plus, but now he needs to raise the level of consistency to be targeted more by Brandon Doughty.

11. RB Anthony Wales, Jr.
When the staff wants to give a blow to starter Leon Allen, it’ll have no reservations feeding Wales this fall. He came off the bench a year ago to turn 82 carries into 518 yards and five scores, while catching 15 passes for 127 yards. The 5-10, 190-pound Wales nicely complements the bruising Allen, using his speed, vision and elusiveness to gash the seams of opponents who are worn down by the time he enters the field.

12. DE Gavin Rocker, Sr.
Rocker returns in 2015 as the Hilltoppers’ most dangerous pass rusher off the edge, a 6-2, 245-pound end in an outside linebacker’s body. As a junior, the veteran collected 45 tackles, 7.5 stops for loss and 5.5 sacks to tie for the team lead. However, a chunk of his production came in the final two regular season games, so he needs to play with more consistency from start to finish in 2015.