Diving into Alabama's 2024 football opponents: Week 1, Western Kentucky - WVUA 23 (2024)

After watching one man lead their beloved Crimson Tide out of the north end zone tunnel and onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama fans will experience something new for the first time in almost two decades. Under the lights in Tuscaloosa, Kalen DeBoer will lead the 2024 Crimson Tide football team onto the field for the first time as head coach Aug. 31, taking on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Many expect the game to be a blowout as Alabama is already 32.5 point favorites over the Hilltoppers, according to ESPN BET. To Alabama fans, it will be a moment most will remember forever no matter the odds or opponent. When DeBoer steps onto the field for his first game coaching The Crimson Tide, college football will stop and the attention of fans from across the country will turn to the Capstone.

Alongside the Tide and its fans, the Hilltoppers too will be a part of history in the making as DeBoer’s first opponent in the Crimson and White. Despite unfavorable odds and, more than likely, a sellout crowd of 100,077 tumultuous Alabama fans, the Hilltoppers will come in with a clean slate and chip on their shoulder.

New look Hilltopper offense

In 2023, Western Kentucky, led by head coach Tyson Helton, finished the season with an overall record of 8-5 and a 5-3 Conference USA record. The Hilltoppers reached the Famous Toastery Bowl where they matched up against Old Dominion, beating the Monarchs 38-35 in overtime.

The bowl game against the Monarchs served as a preview for the 2024 Hilltopper season thanks to an opt-out from fifth year senior quarterback Austin Reed. Starting in place of Reed was redshirt freshman Turner Helton. Before the bowl game, Helton had only attempted eight passes all season. Helton’s time as the quarterback came to a swift end after a lost fumble and pick-six interception.

Another redshirt freshman Caden Veltkamp replaced Helton only six minutes into the game. Veltkamp looked much better at the helm of the Hilltopper offense leading the 28-0 comeback victory in overtime. Veltkamp completed 40-52 (77%) passes for 383 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Veltkamp also led the Hilltoppers in rushing on 19 carries for 53 yards.

Many would think due to his success, Veltkamp would be in line for the starting quarterback position. However, former Texas State, Auburn, and LSU starting quarterback TJ Finley transferred to the Hilltoppers this offseason.

Finley had his best season to date in 2023 with the Bobcats completing 279-414 (67%) passes for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Finley also scored five rushing touchdowns.

No quarterback has been named the starter, but Finley’s talent and SEC experience gives him the edge over his new teammates. If Finley starts for the Hilltoppers week one against Alabama, it will be his third start against the Crimson Tide in his career. It will also be the third team Finley’s started for while playing against the Crimson Tide.

Finley hasn’t had much success against the Crimson Tide thud far. At LSU in 2020, Finley completed 14-28 (50%) passes for 144 yards and a touchdown against Alabama in a 55-17 loss. At Auburn in 2021, Finley filled in for the injured Bo Nix completing 17-26 (65%) for 137 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 24-22 four-overtime loss.

It’s important to note Western Kentucky runs a similar if not identical offensive scheme to that of the late Mike Leach. In this “air raid” offense, a quarterback’s role is relied on even more due to the high volume of pass attempts they’re required to take each game. Most passes in this offense, are quick, short and intermediate passes, but occasionally, a deep ball is featured.

Finley hasn’t played in a air raid scheme, but he arrived to Western Kentucky in the spring giving him more than enough time to prepare. With a full spring practice, summer, and fall camp experience, Finley should be ready for a week one matchup against the Crimson Tide.

The Hilltoppers return several good skill players on offense starting with senior running back Elijah Young. Young led the Hilltoppers in rushing in 2023 with 104 carries for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Young is the perfect running back for the air raid scheme due to his dangerous receiving ability. Last season, Young caught 20 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Two of the teams top three receivers from a year ago return for another season in Bowling Green. Redshirt senior wide receiver Dalvin Smith looks to be the go-to guy in his final season of college football. In 2023, Smith finished second in receiving yards catching 50 passes for 513 yards, and six touchdowns. Redshirt sophom*ore Easton Messer also looks for a bigger role in 2024 after a successful 2023 campaign where he caught 42 passes for 484 yards and four touchdowns.

Will 2023 defensive woes carry over?

According to ESPN and College Football Stats, The Hilltoppers finished 2023 ranked 111 of 133 in total defense allowing 428.3 yards per game. The struggling Hilltopper defense allowed an average of 189.8 rushing yards per game and 238.6 passing yards per game. In comparison, The Crimson Tide finished 18 of 133, allowing 188.8 passing yards and 124.5 rushing yards for a total of 313.3 total yards per game.

After the season, the Hilltoppers lost three of their top five leading tacklers from 2023. However, redshirt senior linebacker Kylan Guidry returns for one final season at Western Kentucky. Guidry led the Hilltoppers in tackles last season with 54, also registering three sacks and a fumble recovery.

Helton brought in nine defensive transfers including two former SEC defensive backs in safety DeMarko Williams (Ole Miss) and cornerback Kent Robinson (Texas A&M). Helton also brought in two Troy transfers in defensive lineman Zach Edwards and safety Keshawn Swanson. For the Hilltoppers to improve defensively, these transfers must make immediate impacts.

Returning players with smaller roles in 2023, also must replace some of the major production the program lost too. Western Kentucky’s offense will feature some different names, but they’re defense is where improvement is needed most. If they can improve just slightly on this side of the ball, they could be a team to watch out for in the Conference USA.

Matchup to watch

On a Alabama team that lost 30 scholarship players from a year ago, one position group that lacks experience more than any other is the secondary. The Crimson Tide are looking to replace now NFL cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry as well as safeties Jaylen Key and Ohio State transfer Caleb Downs.

There’s plenty of talent in the Crimson Tide secondary but they lack crucial experience. Could the Hilltoppers take advantage of this potential weakness in week one with their high volume and diverse passing attack? Maybe they can, but will it be enough to win the game and upset the Crimson Tide in DeBoer’s debut?

Kickoff between the Crimson Tide and Hilltoppers is scheduled for Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.