The Daily Orange

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The rallying cry in the Western Kentucky football team's locker room has been centered around the words, "making history." So far this season, the Hilltoppers have started to etch their names in the books.

In its first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) - formerly Division I-A - Western Kentucky is trying to make the successful leap from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly Division I-AA. It will play as an independent for two seasons, without postseason eligibility, before moving into the Sun Belt Conference in 2009.

With no postseason possibilities because of its transitional status, the WKU coaching staff has had to find different ways to keep its players motivated.

"We've really talked to them about how important and significant it is what we're doing within the history of our program," head coach David Elson said. "This is going to be their alma mater for the rest of their lives."

The coaches and players agreed that if the team won seven games, all players would receive a ring commemorating the first season of football played at the highest collegiate level. With three wins already under its belt, if WKU can win the four games against FCS teams, it will achieve its goal that it has equivocated with a conference title.

The Hilltoppers are 3-2, with one of those wins coming against Middle Tennessee State, a D-I team. But the first two games Western Kentucky played to open its season were quite the contrast. That's what happens in a transition year.

WKU played its first game in Gainesville, Fla., against defending national champion Florida. Playing at Georgia, Auburn and Kansas State the last three seasons, WKU was used to playing in hostile territory. However, Florida handed the Hilltoppers a 49-3 loss in a game shortened by lightning.

The next game against NAIA team West Virginia Tech proved to be the polar opposite of the opening week loss. The Hilltoppers tied a FBS record of most points scored in a quarter with 49 first-quarter points. The total 87 points they scored were a school record, but the Elson paid little notice to the 87-0 final.

"It was hard to go three quarters after that without getting to that point," Elson said. "I think a lot of attention's been given to that 87 points, but that really wasn't our intention."

There may not have been an intention to run up the score, but Western Kentucky is intent on making its first year a historic one.

Senior wide receiver Curtis Hamilton noted that seven wins is usually a disappointing number to strive for. What is even more disappointing for him is that he cannot play for anything more than a consolation ring.

During year one of the process of transitioning from Division I-AA to Division I-A, WKU must comply with all Division I-A membership requirements other than the football scheduling requirements, which state 60 percent of games must be played against I-A foes. During year two of the process, the Hilltoppers must comply with all Division I-A membership requirements, but they still cannot compete in postseason play.

Elson asked Hamilton and seven other senior Hilltoppers to redshirt this year so they could come back and help with the demanding task of playing 10 FBS teams next season. Initially, all of the seniors decided they would stick around for the sake of the program. But before the season started, Hamilton and the other seniors realized the sacrifice was not worth it.

"We can't play for anything next year anyway," Hamilton said. "That's why everyone changed their minds.

"We started thinking, 'What's the point?' It's going to be the same thing next year as it is this year. It kind of hit us, and we decided we might as well play."

In order to avoid the traps that other schools have fallen into, WKU Athletics Director Wood Selig studied the history of the 17 teams that have attempted the jump to Division I-A football. Selig noted two major factors that have prevented schools from sustaining success.

The first, he said, was that athletic departments were spending too much money on stadium renovations. WKU is currently renovating its stadium, but it is privately funded by Houchens Industries Inc., a company that operates various supermarkets.

The second was that schools were getting too involved in guaranteed contracts with large conference opponents. By limiting the amount of guaranteed games played, Selig was able to ensure that WKU could play a realistic schedule and win some games. Selig decided the support of the fans would bring more revenue than the money that guaranteed games bring a program.

"(Teams) end up coming back banged up, beat up and with no momentum in the community and have a hard time selling tickets," Selig said.

WKU has not had trouble selling tickets to its fans this year. Season ticket totals have increased from 1,800 last year to a present total of 9,165. It's all part of the formula for success on Western Kentucky's quest for history.

"I really didn't think about (the making history slogan) at first," senior defensive back Bo Smith said. "But now as it's developing and the community and all being a part of it, now I'm starting to get the sense of how important it is. I feel honored to be a part of this first-year program."

Palka's Picks

No. 10 Oklahoma (-10.5) at No. 19 Texas
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

The Red River Shootout has lost the appeal it carried just one week ago. Both the Sooners and the Longhorns were upended by Big 12 opponents, diminishing their chances at a national championship. Still, this game is a classic rivalry, so expect bad blood and two angry teams battling for their BCS lives.

Pick: Oklahoma 37, Texas 25



No. 15 Virginia Tech at No. 22 Clemson (-5)
Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN

Virginia Tech failed its only test this season miserably, losing 48-7 at LSU. They go to another hostile environment this week, this time with ACC implications. The Tigers are tough to beat at home and will take care of the Hokies.

Pick: Clemson 20, Virginia Tech 13



No. 9 Florida at No. 1 LSU (-8.5)
Saturday, 8 p.m., CBS

There is no doubt that Florida skipped over Auburn and was looking ahead to this game. With no margin for error, the Gators will bring their spread offense into Baton Rouge and shock the top team in the land.

Pick: Florida 24, LSU 23



No. 4 Ohio State (-7) at No. 23 Purdue
Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC

In a battle for position atop the Big Ten, Purdue will be out to prove something in its first week among the top 25. The Buckeyes will make the Boilermakers' stay in the rankings a short one as they continue to roll.

Pick: Ohio State 31, Purdue 21



No. 13 West Virginia at Syracuse
Saturday, noon, Time Warner 26

With Pat White's status uncertain, the oddsmakers can't decide how much they will favor the Mountaineers. White or no White, West Virginia still has Steve Slaton to carry the load for a team looking to avenge last week's loss.

Pick: West Virginia 35, Syracuse 13

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