The Hilltoppers have been named the Sun Belt preseason favorite in The Sporting News college football preview. WKU is followed in the ranking by Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe and Arkansas State.
Also, senior running back Antonio Andrews has been named a preseason All-America selection by the organization.
Andrews is a third-team selection to the 2013 Sporting News All-America Team as an all-purpose player.
Andrews led WKU in all-purpose yards (3,161), rushing yards (1,728), touchdowns (15), scoring (90 points), kick return yards (726), punt return yards (234) and carries (304) in 2012. His 3,161 all-purpose yards were the most in school history and the second highest total ever behind only 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders.
Andrews and Sanders are the only two players in NCAA history to eclipse 3,000 all-purpose yards in a single season. Andrews also broke WKU's single-season rushing record and led the Sun Belt Conference with 1,728 while making WKU the fifth program in NCAA history to post three consecutive 1,500 yard rushers )Bobby Rainey 2010-11).
Andrews, offensive lineman Sean Conway, linebackers Andrew Jackson and defensive back Jonathan Dowling were also named pre-season All-Sun Belt Conference selections. Jackson is also listed as the top NFL prospect in the league.
