It’s bad enough that Western Kentucky comes into its 2009 homecoming game on a 16-game losing streak.

It’s also bad enough that the Hilltoppers’ opponent on Saturday is the Sun Belt Conference’s top team, Troy.

Can it get worse? You bet it can.

Not only do the Trojans (6-2, 5-0 Sun Belt) have the best defense in the league, they also boast probably the best overall performer to this point in senior quarterback Levi Brown.

But the Hilltoppers must face Brown on Saturday without three of their top four safeties.

Starting strong safety Orlando Misaalefua and starting nickel back Kareem Peterson will both miss Saturday’s game with concussions. And with sophomore safety Ryan Beard still out with a knee injury, it looks pretty thin for WKU’s already struggling defensive backfield.

Regular starting cornerback Trent Calhoun has been moved to the strong safety spot this week, while junior corners Dexter Taylor and Avery Hibbitt - a Bowling Green High School product - will be forced into more action this week than they’ve seen all season.

“It’ll be a big challenge for our whole secondary,” WKU coach David Elson said. “There’s going to be guys out there that haven’t had much playing time to this point.

“Some of these guys have been waiting in the wings and practicing and it’s time for them to step up - I’m excited to see what they do.”

One of the favorites for Sun Belt Player of the Year, Brown has followed up a successful junior campaign with 2,526 yards and 14 touchdowns through eight games this season.

He’s been the SBC Player of the Week four times this season, and is averaging a ridiculous 356.8 yards a game in five SBC contests - all victories.

“He’s so accurate, he’s got such a great presence and feel for what they’re doing,” Elson said. “We’ve seen some pretty good quarterbacks this year, but he’s really the one that seems to be above the rest just based on what they’re doing.

“They’ve got it going on offense, and as is the case most times, it starts with him.”

Elson has preached all year to players who haven’t received much time on the field that their responsibilities could change in a matter of seconds.

For players such as Hibbitt and Taylor - along with seldom-used safeties John Garrett and Jerrod Babik - that moment appears to be now.

“It’s the old story of when opportunity knocks, you need to be ready,” Elson said. “And it won’t be knocking on game day - it knocked on Monday, so they’ve had time to prepare. They’ll be ready to go.”

Injury updates

Beyond the three safeties who will miss Saturday’s game, WKU will be without a few offensive players as well.

Junior receiver Quinterrance Cooper will miss the game with a concussion - his second of the season - while junior offensive tackle Preston King is doubtful with a lingering leg injury.

Sophomore center Shelley Anthony also isn’t expected to play with an elbow problem.

Elson said WKU will get freshman inside linebacker Josh Carter (concussion) back this week, but might be without junior outside linebacker Chris Bullard, who has been sick and hasn’t practiced all week.

Homecoming festivities

Events for Saturday’s homecoming game will begin at 5 p.m. tonight with the Citizens First Homecoming Parade on College Heights Boulevard and the Avenue of Champions.

Saturday’s festivities begin at noon with tailgating and the South Lawn Topper Town kid’s play area.

WKU’s Topper Walk will begin at 1:40 p.m. with 100 free T-shirts being distributed to fans.

Read WKU beat writer Nick Baumgardner’s Hilltopper blog at bgdnwkublog.wordpress.com.