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2007 WMU Football Preview

Western Michigan Broncos

2007 WMU Overview

Thomas Peregrin and 2005 MAC Freshman of the Year Award winner Tim Hiller are vying for the role of starting QB. Both have experience and are proven winners. Western is blessed with what many consider to be the deepest and most talented group of running backs in the MAC this season. Mark Bonds, Brandon West and Glenis Thompson all return and should push the Broncos rushing per game average well past last years 135-YPG output. Western has some solid playmakers at receiver with Jamarko Simmons, Herb Martin, Schneider Julien and TE Branden Ledbetter. Four starters return up front led by Rimington Trophy candidate Robbie Krutilla. Defensively, Western Michigan trimmed 175-yards from their total defense average last year and ranked 11th nationally while ranking 6th nationally in run defense last season as well. The Broncos have one of the MAC’s best defensive fronts led by DTs Nick Varcadipane and Cory Flom. WMU did suffer a huge loss with the graduation of MLB Ameer Ismail, one of the MAC’s best defensive players last season. WMU’s starting four DBs all return and form the MAC’s best defensive backfield unit this fall; corners EJ Biggers and Londen Fryar and safeties CJ Wilson and Louis Delmas. Look for this group to really make a difference in a few games. The kicking prospects are the only real areas to concern for the coaching staff entering the season. Considering Western’s success in Coach Bill Cubit’s first two seasons, the time is now and this team which is ripe with talent to be considered the overall MAC favorite this fall. Don’t be surprised if Western Michigan pulls off a mild upset or two along the way and this team has a real shot at cracking the Top-25 in 2007.

Mark it Down!
The Broncos will win the MAC for the first time since 1988. After winning the league and winning their bowl game, Coach Bill Cubit will be one of the most sought after head coaches in college football and will bolt to a BCS program after the 2007 season.

WMU 2007 Schedule Analysis
With the MAC’s new non-balanced schedule, Western will be playing five OOC opponents in 2007. WMU will host Indiana and Central Connecticut while traveling to West Virginia, Missouri and Iowa. Cross over games are hosting both Akron and Temple. Within the West, WMU hosts Ball State and arch-rival Central Michigan while traveling to Toledo and NIU.

Most Important Game
At Toledo on September 29 – Western Michigan was a ten-point underdog at home last year and surged past the Rockets in the second half en route to a 31-10 win. That early season win set up Western’s 8-5 season just two years after the program went 1-10. That loss also set Toledo reeling to a 5-7 record. The winner of this early "big game" contest has the upper hand in the MAC West Division.

2007 WMU Prediction - 9-3 Overall, 7-0 MAC, 5-0 MAC West

published 07.05.2007