Western Kentucky's Taywan Taylor (2) catches a pass Thursday, September 1, 2016, in front of Rice's J.T. Blasingame (14) during the season opener at Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium. (Bac Totrong/photo@bgdailynews.com)

Western Kentucky knows what’s next.

The Hilltoppers started their season with a 46-14 whipping of Rice on Thursday night at Houchens-Smith Stadium. But their much tougher Week 2 test looms.

WKU will head south next week for a date with the nation’s preseason No. 1 team, Alabama. The Tops’ kickoff against coach Nick Saban and the defending national champions is set for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

“As you guys know, they’re the best team in the country, the best-coached team in the country, they have the best head coach in the country,” WKU coach Jeff Brohm said after his team’s win Thursday. “Everything you look for in a championship team, they have. It’ll be a great opportunity for us.”

The Hilltoppers will take a heavy dose of confidence on the road with them after a convincing win Thursday. WKU outgained the Owls 649-288 and led 30-7 at halftime, thanks in large part to quarterback Mike White’s impressive debut.

Obviously the Crimson Tide represents a major step up in competition from Rice. But it’s key to treat Alabama like any other opponent, linebacker T.J. McCollum said.

“I’m real excited to face them,” said McCollum, a redshirt junior. “Alabama is just another team to us. We go game-by-game. …

“They’ve got a big name as a school, but that’s about it. We put our pants on just like they do.”

WKU will get a couple of extra days to rest up in preparation for the Tide thanks to opening on a Thursday. Alabama starts its season with a neutral-site battle against fellow blue blood USC on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

“My eyes will definitely be on that team, just kind of studying what they’re doing,” White said. “… I’m sure the whole entire team will be watching that game.”

Ferby leaves with shoulder injury

WKU’s backfield depth took a blow Thursday when running back D’Andre Ferby left with a shoulder injury.

Brohm said he wasn’t immediately certain of the extent of the redshirt sophomore’s injury.

Ferby finished with one yard on one carry. He’s been expected to share the rushing load for the Tops this season with redshirt senior Anthony “Ace” Wales.

Wales finished with 58 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Redshirt freshman Marquez Trigg ran twice for one yard, while talented true freshman Quinton Baker carried nine times for 42 yards.

“When D’Andre went down, (Baker) stepped in,” Brohm said. “He’s got to be a player for us this year.

“As you saw, he’s got some speed, he’s got some elusiveness. … He’s green and doesn’t know what he’s doing a whole lot. But we’ve got to get him ready to go.”

WKU averaged 3.2 yards per carry Thursday, but made up for that by averaging 15.8 yards per pass attempt.

“Well, we wanted to run the ball a little more than we did,” Brohm said. “We were not as effective as I would’ve liked to be. But we were able to hit some shots up the field.

“Sometimes the ability to be a great team is to be able to do both things, and when teams are taking away the pass you run the ball. When teams are taking away the run you pass the ball. I think we always pride ourselves on doing that.”

Notes

Rice’s first-quarter safety was the first earned by WKU since its 21-19 win against Army on Nov. 9, 2013. … White is 1-0 in his career as the Hilltoppers’ starting quarterback. He became WKU’s third opening day starter since 2010 … Brohm is now 21-7 in two-plus seasons as WKU’s coach. … WKU leads its all-time series against Rice 2-0. … The Toppers have won 13 straight Conference USA games, becoming just the third team in C-USA history with such a streak. … WKU is now 6-0 all-time in games on CBS Sports Network. … Attendance was announced at 19,286, marking the Hilltoppers’ most since Oct. 26, 2013 vs. Troy and most in a C-USA game under Brohm.

– Follow Daily News sports reporter Brad Stephens on Twitter @BradBGDN or visit bgdailynews.com.