Western Kentucky @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2010 ) Western Kentucky 28, Kentucky 63

THE STORY: Kentucky and Western Kentucky take their cross-state series south to LP Field in Nashville. The Hilltoppers have the chance to immediately sabotage the Wildcats’ season. It’s a good test for a Kentucky rushing defense that allowed 200 yards five times last season. WKU brings back three returning starting linemen to help block for Bobby Rainey, the nation’s third-leading rusher last season.

TV: ESPNU. Line: Kentucky -18.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (6-7, 2-6 SEC): The Wildcats have a good shot at a 3-0 start with September dates against Central Michigan and a rebuilding Louisville team following this game. Kentucky has to replace the playmaking presence of Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke, but whoever carries the ball will benefit from a veteran offensive line with four incumbent starters. Phillips likes the way QB Morgan Newton is running the team. Kentucky has shifted to a 3-4 defense, led by LB Danny Trevathan, the SEC’s leading tackler last season.

ABOUT WESTERN KENTUCKY (2010: 2-10, 2-6 Sun Belt): Hilltoppers coach Willie Taggart has two new coordinators in Steve Azzanni (offense) and Lance Guidry (defense). The Hilltoppers’ West Coast, pro-style offense is the oddball in a conference replete with versions of the spread. Rainey might be the best player no one’s heard of. He led all of Division I with 340 carries last season. On defense, watch out for cornerbacks Tyree Robinson and Arius Wright and linebackers Antonio Andrews and Xavius Boyd look promising as well.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is just the third meeting between Kentucky and Western Kentucky. The Wildcats won the prior two games by a combined margin of 104-31, including last year’s 63-28 victory.

2. Western Kentucky’s offensive linemen are in the midst of a media boycott. They’ve pledged not to do any interviews until the Hilltoppers break their streak of 15 consecutive home losses.

3. Kentucky experienced some unanticipated attrition this preseason. Three players left the team during fall camp, and three signees did not qualify academically.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 42, Western Kentucky 21 – The Hilltoppers have improved since Taggart took over his alma mater following a winless season, but they’re not ready to hang with an SEC team yet.