VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > 2008 MAC Football Pigskin Preview > Western Michigan Broncos

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2008 Western Michigan Football Preview

WMU's Strengths:

• The Broncos have one of the best defensive back units in the country - period. Senior CBs Londen Fryer and EJ Biggers along with senior safeties CJ Wilson and Louis Delmas have a combined 112 career starts, 25 INTs and three All-MAC selections combined.
• Ten starters return on a unit that gave up just 19 points per game during the second half of the season – which included a 28-19 victory at Iowa. This group that ranked 68th nationally in total defense and 73rd nationally in scoring defense will be vastly improved.
• Offensively, Western Michigan features several all-conference players, including WR Jamarko Simmons, TE Branden Ledbetter and RB Brandon West. QB Tim Hiller was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2005 and is poised for a terrific junior campaign.

WMU's Weaknesses:

• Two starters return from last year’s O-line and this group has to improve for WMU to move up in the standings. The Broncos ranked 86th nationally in rush offense and it was due largely to the play of the offensive line.
• The Broncos were 12th in the MAC last year in penalties (95 total averaging 65 yards per game). Western MUST cut out these silly mistakes.

WMU's Opportunities:

• Three of the four Bronco losses within the MAC came by four points or fewer. One or two plays per game would have made a difference from a 5-7 season to a 8-4 season. WMU doesn’t need to overhaul anything to contend for a MAC title.
• The non-conference schedule is far more favorable this year than 2007. Last season WMU opened with West Virginia, Indiana and Missouri. This year their first three non-conference games are Nebraska (with a new coaching staff and philosophy), Idaho and Tennessee Tech.
• Last season Western Michigan ranked #2 in the MAC in QB sacks - 28 total. The front four have the potential to be outstanding.

WMU's Threats:

• Both kicking jobs are up for grabs. Caleb Morris, a transfer from Maryland, will contend in the fall while Ben Armer follows the graduated Jim Laney, who averaged 44 yards per punt last season.
• Tim Hiller must lower his INTs in 2008. Hiller threw 15 last season and the Western Michigan team as a whole was not good at creating turnovers, ranking 88th nationally in the turnover ratio stat.
• Someone needs to step up at WR and help out Simmons. That person could be Miami (FL) transfer Doug Wiggins, but he could end up at CB if needed. Juan Nunez, Jordan White and Schneider Julien will need to produce.

The Big Game(s) for WMU in 2008:

This is easy – visiting arch-rival Central Michigan on October 18. Western lost a 34-31 heartbreaker in Kalamazoo last November and this rivalry is definitely one of the nastiest in the MAC. Don’t be surprised if the Western/Central contest is for all of the marbles in the MAC's West Division.

Final Analysis for Western Michigan in 2008:

This is a very talented team that has the potential to win non-conference games against Nebraska and Illinois providing that they cut down on their turnovers and get better play from the offensive line. There are enough player-makers throughout the skilled positions on offense to light up the scoreboard. Defensively, Western has terrific talent up front and throughout the DB unit. The challenge will be overcoming and ultimately eliminating the turnover and penalty problems that plagued them throughout 2007. This publication calls for the Broncos to make a bowl and contend for thes league title.

By Nick Gerogosian
published 07.07.2008