Which Hilltoppers Will be Problematic for Alabama Saturday?

As we are rapidly approaching the start of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa against Western Kentucky, Crimson Tide fans should be aware of who could give Alabama difficulties Saturday evening.

Here are three Western Kentucky Hilltoppers that Alabama fans should watch out for Saturday:

TJ Finley - QB:

A familiar face for the Crimson Tide, Finley started against Alabama while with LSU and Auburn on his previous stops throughout his college football career.

In his first start against the Crimson Tide in 2020 while with the LSU Tigers, Finley threw for 144 yards and a touchdown on 50% completion percentage while being sacked on four occasions. The following season, Finley, then with the Auburn Tigers, recorded 137 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Auburn's 24-22 loss in quadruple overtime to Bryce Young and the Crimson Tide.

Finley also started a game against now-Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack last season while with the Texas State Bobcats; the Ponchatoula, La., native would prove to be a challenge for Wommack and South Alabama, throwing for 368 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception en route to a 52-44 win.

The 6-7 signal-caller has experienced highs and lows throughout his collegiate career, yet Crimson Tide fans shouldn't write him off on Saturday.

Dalvin Smith - WR:

Dalvin Smith, the Hilltoppers' second-leading receiver a season ago, is expected to replace the production of former WKU wideout Malachi Corley, who was drafted in the third round by the New York Jets this off-season.

Smith has slowly risen through the ranks of the Western Kentucky receiver room since joining the program in 2019, finally emerging as a top option with a career-best season last year.

Smith's large catch radius, positional versatility, and speed could potentially cause the Alabama secondary problems on Saturday if Smith stays healthy and finds a rhythm with quarterback TJ Finley.

Anthony Johnson Jr. - CB:

Anthony Johnson Jr., a senior from Miami, Fla., spent his first two seasons of collegiate football at D-II West Florida before transferring to Western Kentucky last off-season.

In his first season with the Hilltoppers, Johnson Jr. recorded 44 total tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass deflections, earning a CUSA All-Conference honorable mention as a defensive back.

Johnson Jr. was also named the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl Defensive MVP thanks to his season-high eight tackle performance and a timely interception in the third quarter to help the Hilltoppers overcome a 28-point deficit to defeat the Old Dominion Monarchs.

The Miami, Fla., native's stellar 2023 season earned him a spot on the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist.

Johnson Jr. may be able to find success against a young Alabama receiver room. However, it won't be a one-man job. And the Crimson Tide wideout's combination of speed and size may be too much for the Western Kentucky secondary.

Alabama will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m. You can listen to the game on the free Tide 100.9 app or Tide 1009.com.

For more Alabama Football, Basketball, and Baseball content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on X/Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.