OFFENSE

While there is still spotty talent and a lack of quality depth along the two-deep depth chart, there is no questioning the ability of senior running back Bobby Rainey, one of the best players in the country most folks don’t know. Not only did the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year finish third in the nation in rushing last season, piling up 1,649 yards, but he also led the country in rushing attempts. Nine times, he rushed for more than 100 yards.

Junior Kawaun Jakes emerged as the starter at quarterback last fall. He is solid as a passer, but he can also put pressure on defenses with his legs, which is key in coach Willie Taggart’s offense.

Junior tight end Jack Doyle is big and possesses good hands, but he missed the last five games of last season and most of spring with concussion symptoms. The Hilltoppers need second-leading receiver Marcus Vasquez, who sat out spring practice with a broken collarbone, to return, especially after their top receiver, Willie McNeal, was lost to a knee injury.

Western wants to continue running the ball and controlling the clock like last year, when it led the league and finished fourth in the country in time of possession (33:03). Leading the offensive line is senior left tackle Wes Jeffries, an all-league candidate.

DEFENSE

While Rainey has star power, the most talent is on the defensive side of the ball, although the Hilltoppers have their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years in Lance Guidry. He coached Miami (Ohio) to a bowl victory in an interim role after RedHawks coach Michael Haywood took the Pitt job.

The strength of the team is up front, where four starters return, highlighted by junior Quanterus Smith, an all-league candidate at end who led the team in sacks and was second in tackles for a loss.
Last season’s best defender and top tackler, second-team All-SBC linebacker Thomas Majors, has graduated, leaving a gaping hole to fill. But waiting in the wings is junior Tye Golden, who’s talented but inexperienced.

After getting thrown into the fire as freshmen, Arius Wright and Tyree Robinson should be much improved this season. They should develop into one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.

SPECIALISTS

Both placekicker Casey Tinius and punter Hendrix Brakefield return, but they both struggled at times last season. Tinius converted only 6-of-15 field goals and missed three extra points. Brakefield averaged 40.5 yards per punt. McNeal and Robinson are weapons in the return game.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Taggart knows how to build a program. He joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Stanford in 2006 following an 1–11 season, then helped build the Cardinal into a winner. And the former WKU quarterback was offensive coordinator for the Hilltoppers under Harbaugh’s dad, Jack, when the team won the Division I-AA national title in 2002.

The Hilltoppers aren’t quite ready to contend for a league title, but they are headed in that direction. Taggart has signed two straight recruiting classes that have been ranked as the best in the league. He will soon have the talent that rivals — or even surpasses — the top teams in the Sun Belt.

In the meantime, the Hilltoppers will continue to climb the conference ladder. A . 500 record in league play should be the goal in 2011.