Group of Five: 2017 college football preseason power rankings
By Zach Bigalke
Western Kentucky enters 2017 as the two-time defending Conference USA champion. Each of the past two years, the Hilltoppers have hosted the league title game and won by double digits. Even though they lose more starters than any other C-USA team, one of the nation’s most prolific offenses should be just as much of a handful this season.
Among the returning starters is senior quarterback Mike White. He could be a dark-horse candidate for the 2018 NFL Draft if he continues to put up big numbers. Last season, his first for WKU after transferring from South Florida and sitting out a year, White threw for over 4,300 yards and 37 touchdowns.
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Each year things turn over at Western Kentucky, and each year they seem to remain in contention for conference spoils. Conference USA has been maligned in recent years as some of its strongest teams have defected for the American Athletic Conference, but WKU could change that perspective in 2017.
Road trips to Illinois and Vanderbilt offer winnable statement games against Power Five competition. If the Hilltoppers can win both, they have a path to an undefeated record. Whether they would get the same treatment Marshall received in 2014, though, remains to be seen.