The start to the 2026 season has been anything but ideal for Western Kentucky. Year eight of the Tyson Helton era in Bowling Green has begun with two blowout losses with not many signs of optimism.
Helton has had success with Western Kentucky, holding a 57-36 overall record, including 40-15 in Conference USA play, while reaching seven bowl games, winning five of them.
The Hilltoppers have had a tough schedule at the start of the year, with each of their first three games being away from Houchens Industries L. T. Smith Stadium. Two of those came against teams currently ranked in the top four of the AP poll.
So far this season, the Hilltoppers have lost on the road against Nevada, and in Athens against the No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Western Kentucky has scored 34 total points this season, 21 of which have come in the fourth quarter when the game has been out of reach for them.
Starting quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. is yet to throw for a touchdown this season for the Hilltoppers. His totals add up to 234 total passing yards and an interception. Tisdale Jr. was benched in the second half of the game against Georgia after throwing 6-for-14 for just 31 yards and an interception.
Florida State transfer Brock Glenn filled in for Tisdale in the fourth quarter last time out, and threw for 84 yards and a touchdown. The status of who will be getting the start is unclear, with Tisdale Jr.’s struggles early on, Glenn may slide into that starting role in Week 3.
The running game has also struggled this season. The lead back, Ajay Allen, has rushed for 121 yards on 32 carries, good for 3.8 yards per run, and has scored two touchdowns. Glenn, the backup quarterback, is the second leading rusher on the team through two weeks with 70 yards on the ground. The run game is by far the biggest question mark of this offense.
Defensively, the Hilltoppers have been an absolute mess to start the 2026 season. WKU has allowed 119 points through two weeks of action. The Hilltoppers also allow 489 yards per game, with 278 of those being on the ground, per game. That is not a recipe for success in any game, but especially this week against an Indiana team that seemingly found its rhythm in the run game against Howard.
The combination of Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard produced 220 yards on the ground last week in the 55-0 win over Howard.
If the Hilltoppers can’t stop the run game, Indiana will have yet another field day on the ground, which opens up the RPO game that offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan loves so much.
Western Kentucky has been beat by the big plays this year. The Tops have allowed 13 plays of 20 yards or more on the defensive side of the ball. Indiana has already produced 15 plays of 20 yards or more this season, with Josh Hoover’s average completion distance sitting at 19.7 in the young season.
This game is important for WKU to try and find things that can work come conference play. It gives them a chance to solidify their quarterback for the year, and a chance to find the right pieces for a successful C-USA run.
The line for this game currently sits at 44.5 points favoring Indiana, and in all likelihood, will be another blowout, and the Hilltoppers will be 0-3 to start the season. Western Kentucky wanted to be tested early and has been. The main thing for Western Kentucky is to get through Saturday healthy and put a treacherous non-conference slate in the rear-view mirror.
