For each week of Western Kentucky's 2019 football season, Tyler Mansfield of InsideHilltopperSports.com will connect with a beat writer who covers the opposing team for a Q&A session.
For Game 8, Tyler chats with Aaron Perkins, who covers Marshall as Managing Editor for HerdNation.com.
WKU (5-2, 4-0 Conference USA) is coming off a 30-14 win over Charlotte and has won four straight.
Marshall (4-3, 2-1) hosts the Hilltoppers after winning 36-31 last weekend at Florida Atlantic and has won two straight.
Kickoff time for the Thundering Herd's Homecoming game is slated for 1:30 p.m. CDT Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. It will be broadcast on Stadium on Facebook Live.
Tyler: Marshall has won two straight and is coming off a big win over Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. How can you assess the way the Herd has been playing these past couple weeks entering Saturday's game against WKU?
Aaron: In my opinion, Marshall is starting to finally show what type of team it is. The early season games, like most teams early season games at the G5 level, really do not tell people much. G5 teams typically beat up on an FCS team, play another G5 team tight and lose to a couple P5 schools, or in Marshall’s case lose to two top-25 G5 schools. So, once conference play starts, that is when you find out what you have.
Marshall had far too many turnovers in the C-USA opener to beat Middle on the road, but the last two games both the offensive and defensive lines have been dominant at times. Coming in to the season most believed Marshall would have to outscore its opponents. The defense, especially the front four, has turned the tables and is making up for the fact the offense is missing several projected starters.
Tyler: This game is big in many ways. While WKU and Marshall have a great series history and have become rivals, this game is between the top two teams in the Conference USA East Division. What's your overall take on the matchup and just how important is this game?
Aaron: Most important game of the season for both teams. It will be the turning point of the season for both teams. Marshall has to win this game to keep a foot in the door for the East championship. Western has gotten off to a great start, but a loss to Marshall would hurt as it would give the Herd the tiebreaker, and Western still has to play FAU and Middle and travel to Southern Miss. Both teams have that one blemish on their schedule that they will look back on at the end of the year, with Marshall losing to Middle and Western to Central Arkansas.
Tyler: How do you see Saturday's game playing out in Huntington?
Aaron: I think the game will come down to the first quarter. Which team gets off to the quick start and sets the tone. I think Marshall may have the better opportunity to overcome an early deficit as the offense may be a little better, and it is at home, but whoever gets off to that early start will be able to lean on its defense. Both teams have solid defenses. I think that ultimately Marshall wins the game 27-10.
