The 2017 bowl season begins on Saturday with a whopping six games on the docket. One of the more intriguing match-ups is between Western Kentucky<\/strong> and Georgia State<\/strong> in third annual AutoNation Cure Bowl<\/strong>. The game begins at 2:30 and will be televised by the CBS Sports Network. We are going to take a look at the history and meaning behind the game and a look at both teams seasons. With that in mind let’s begin the 2017 AutoNation Cure Bowl Preview.<\/p>\n Launched in 2015 the AutoNation Cure Bowl is a way for football to help in the fight against breast cancer. Funds raised from the game go directly to the\u00a0 Breast Cancer Research Foundation <\/a>whose mission is to fund cancer research.<\/p>\n In addition to raising money for cancer research the Cure Bowl invites special guests to serve as honorary captains for each team. This year Hall of Fame Coach and former Heisman winner Steve Spurrier<\/a> serves as team captain for the Hilltoppers. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer<\/strong> will serve as captain for the Panthers.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier this is the third annual Cure Bowl and the second to feature Georgia State. In the inaugural game in 2015 the Panthers\u00a0lost to San Jose State 27-16. <\/a> Last season Arkansas State whipped Central Florida 31-13. <\/a><\/p>\n Despite the loss the extra month of practice helped the Knights jump start their memorable 2017 season in which they went 12-0 capped with a Peach Bowl<\/strong> battle with Auburn<\/strong>. This year’s game features teams from Conference USA<\/strong> and the Sun Belt<\/strong> and is a battle of first year coaches.<\/p>\n Western Kentucky is making their fourth straight bowl appearance and the first under new head coach Mike Sanford<\/strong>. The Hilltoppers had to replace a number of key players from 2016 and coach Jeff Brohm<\/a>, who left for Purdue<\/strong>. They completed the regular season with a 6-6 record and 4-4 mark in Conference USA.<\/p>\n The Western offense is led by senior quarterback Mike White<\/a>. While his stats were down from 2016 he still managed to throw for 3,800 yards and 24 touchdowns. His favorite target is wide receiver Nacarius Fant<\/a> who caught 67 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns. In addition to Fant Deon Yelder<\/a> caught 47 passes with five touchdowns.<\/p>\n While the Western offense has been good through the air, they have struggled with the ground game. Averaging only 66 yards per game the Hilltoppers rank last in college football. Due to the poor running game White is second in the nation in passing attempts with 521.<\/p>\n On the other side of the ball the Western defense has been really good in 2017 especially against the pass. In six of twelve games this season Western has held opponents to under 200 yards passing. The defense is led by All-Conference USA linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd47\u00a0#IGGY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vcUJGya1YN<\/a><\/p>\n — WKU Football (@WKUFootball) December 5, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMore Than Just A Bowl Game<\/h4>\n
Cure Bowl History<\/h4>\n
Scouting The Hilltoppers<\/h4>\n
\n