Written by Brett Korpi
The according to the forecast is it could get into the 80s in Palm Beach County. No, it’s not the temperature, it’s the predicted point total of the Boca Raton Bowl, where the explosive offenses of the Western Kentucky and the Memphis Tigers will try to keep up with one another.
The Hilltoppers (10-3, 7-1 C-USA) make the trip while on a roll winning their last seven games including the C-USA championship. They are expecting to light up the scoreboard, as they are second in the nation with an average of 45.1 points per game.
The Tigers (8-4, 5-3 AAC) are no strangers to scoring points either, averaging 39.5 points per game, which is 17th in the country. They are also riding high after their wild 48-44 upset victory over Houston in the final game of the regular season.
The two will clash at 7 p.m. EST tonight at FAU Stadium, on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
Despite all of their success this season, there is some uncertainty for Western Kentucky.
Just after the bowl selection was announced, former head coach Jeff Brohm stepped down in order to take a job with Purdue. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt has stepped in as interim head coach, while the Hilltoppers’ wait for former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford to take over the program.
Western Kentucky can just look at their opponent for optimism in the situation. When Justin Fuente left Memphis to take the Virginia Tech job last season. Offensive coordinator Darrel Dickey stepped in for the interim before current head coach Mike Novel took over to lead the Tigers back to a bowl this season.
Holt and the Hilltoppers will be making their second trip to the Boca Raton campus this season. And, they are hoping to match their 52-3 victory over the FAU Owls.
However, it will be no day at the beach this time for a Hilltopper defense that ranks 37th in the country allowing just 368 yards per game.
Ferguson, who took over the reins after Paxton Lynch departed for the NFL, has thrown for 3,326 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. He is joined in the backfield by Doroland Dorceus, who has accumulated 783 yards for the Tigers and nine scores. Wide receiver Anthony Miller, is Ferguson’s top target with 1,283 yards and 11 touchdowns.
On defense, Memphis has let up a lot of yards, opponents are averaging 443 yards per game. However, the Tiger secondary is strong, what it has only given up 17 scores, and has picked off 15 passes.
Hilltopper quarterback Mike White will be looking for ways to beat that unit. Receivers Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris will be his main weapons. The tandem combined for 162 catches, 2,839 yards and 29 touchdowns. If he is unable to beat the Tigers secondary, he will look to running back Anthony Wales to carry the load. He has rushed for 1,376 and 24 touchdowns this season.
For now, all we can do is sit back, wait and watch to see who will come out on top. Will it be the Tigers from Memphis or the Hilltoppers from Western Kentucky?
The Hilltoppers (10-3, 7-1 C-USA) make the trip while on a roll winning their last seven games including the C-USA championship. They are expecting to light up the scoreboard, as they are second in the nation with an average of 45.1 points per game.
The Tigers (8-4, 5-3 AAC) are no strangers to scoring points either, averaging 39.5 points per game, which is 17th in the country. They are also riding high after their wild 48-44 upset victory over Houston in the final game of the regular season.
The two will clash at 7 p.m. EST tonight at FAU Stadium, on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.
Despite all of their success this season, there is some uncertainty for Western Kentucky.
Just after the bowl selection was announced, former head coach Jeff Brohm stepped down in order to take a job with Purdue. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt has stepped in as interim head coach, while the Hilltoppers’ wait for former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford to take over the program.
Western Kentucky can just look at their opponent for optimism in the situation. When Justin Fuente left Memphis to take the Virginia Tech job last season. Offensive coordinator Darrel Dickey stepped in for the interim before current head coach Mike Novel took over to lead the Tigers back to a bowl this season.
Holt and the Hilltoppers will be making their second trip to the Boca Raton campus this season. And, they are hoping to match their 52-3 victory over the FAU Owls.
However, it will be no day at the beach this time for a Hilltopper defense that ranks 37th in the country allowing just 368 yards per game.
Ferguson, who took over the reins after Paxton Lynch departed for the NFL, has thrown for 3,326 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. He is joined in the backfield by Doroland Dorceus, who has accumulated 783 yards for the Tigers and nine scores. Wide receiver Anthony Miller, is Ferguson’s top target with 1,283 yards and 11 touchdowns.
On defense, Memphis has let up a lot of yards, opponents are averaging 443 yards per game. However, the Tiger secondary is strong, what it has only given up 17 scores, and has picked off 15 passes.
Hilltopper quarterback Mike White will be looking for ways to beat that unit. Receivers Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris will be his main weapons. The tandem combined for 162 catches, 2,839 yards and 29 touchdowns. If he is unable to beat the Tigers secondary, he will look to running back Anthony Wales to carry the load. He has rushed for 1,376 and 24 touchdowns this season.
For now, all we can do is sit back, wait and watch to see who will come out on top. Will it be the Tigers from Memphis or the Hilltoppers from Western Kentucky?