Western Michigan Broncos 2009 Football Betting Preview

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Western Michigan 2008 Record: (9-4, 6-2)
Western Michigan 2008 Bowl: Texas Bowl vs. Rice (L 14-38 )
Western Michigan Coach: Bill Cubit (29-20 at Western Michigan, 63-38-1 overall)
Western Michigan Offensive Coordinator: Bill Cubit
Western Michigan Defensive Coordinator: Steve Morrison
Western Michigan Returning Stats Leaders:

• Rushing: Brandon West, RB, 1,026
• Passing: Tim Hiller, QB, 3,725 yards
• Receiving: Juan Nunez, WR, 701 yards
• Tackles: Austin Pritchard, LB, 86
• Sacks: Justin Braska, DE, 6.5
• Interceptions: Mario Armstrong, S, 1

Notable Western Michigan Returning Players: P Ben Armer, DT Cody Cielenski, G Nick Clemens, OT Anthony Parker, K John Potter, G Phillip Swanson, C Paul Wasikowski, LB Mitch Zajac

Western Michigan Key Losses: CB E.J. Biggers, DE Zach Davidson, S Louis Delmas, DT Cory Flom, CB Londen Fryar, OT Rob Johnson, WR Schneider Julien, TE Branden Ledbetter, LB Boston McCornell, WR Jamarko Simmons, DT Nick Varcadipane, S C.J. Wilson

Western Michigan posted Bill Cubit’s best season last year as they finished with a 9-4 record and a 2 nd place finish in the MAC West thanks to a strong defense and a consistent offensive attack. 2008 marked the 3 rd season in 4 years that WMU finished with a winning record under Cubit. However, most of their defense has departed and the offense will have to transition from consistent to dangerous for the Broncos to remain a force in the West.

Luckily, the offense benefitted from a surprising year by rising senior Tim Hiller in 2008 and now enters 2009 with the confidence that comes along with having one of the conference’s best quarterbacks. Hiller threw for over 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last year against only ten interceptions and set school passing records. While Hiller missed the spring with a torn ACL, mobility was never his strength anyway and I expect he’ll have another great year. Luckily for his injured knee, the Broncos bring back four starters from a solid offensive line that is one of the league’s best and should give him plenty of time to throw. A bigger question is who will catch his passes as junior receiver Juan Nunez (57 grabs, 701 yards, 7 TDs) is the only major target returning from last season’s diverse and explosive group. However, Hiller should benefit from an improved running game as senior Brandon West returns after rushing for over 1,000 yards last year and 8 TDs. If some receivers step up, Western Michigan should have a dangerous offense again this fall.

The defense is a much bigger concern. They only bring back two starters and must replace their entire secondary. Seniors Justin Braska (52 tackles, 6 sacks @ Defensive End) and Austin Pritchard (86 tackles @ Outside Linebacker) will be counted upon heavily to lead this young defense. They have to replace three starters on the defensive line and could find themselves starting some sophomores, a scary proposition as the D-Line is a place where size and experience really matter. The linebackers should be solid with Pritchard leading the charge for a group that has a fair amount of experience, so there isn’t much concern there. However, the secondary is another big problem spot as they lose two NFL draft picks and another All-MAC performer! The experience level is very low but the Broncos did allow a surprising 255 yards of offense through the air last fall, so I’m not sure there will be the monumental drop off one would expect with losing every starter. However, they are at best going to be an average unit. Expect the Broncos to regress this year defensively.

The schedule is pretty tough as well. WMU has three road division games and only 5 home games all season! They open up with consecutive road games against Big Ten teams and play Michigan State in East Lansing in early October. Their draw with the East is fairly favorable as they face my predicted worst three teams ( Miami, Buffalo, Kent State) and two are at home. Despite the mixed bag of a schedule and a myriad of questions about the defense, Western Michigan appears to have a very good offense and should again be one of the MAC West’s better teams. If they can upset Indiana in week two then a bowl berth is a strong possibility. However, I will be surprised if the Broncos contend in the MAC West.

Western Michigan Big Games: Oct. 10th @ Toledo, Oct. 17th vs. CMU, Oct. 14th @ EMU, Nov. 24th vs. Ball State

Western Michigan’s Strength:

Yet, while the defense retools, the offense should be very good. Quarterback Tim Hiller led the Mid-American Conference’s best passing attack by throwing for 3,725 yards and 36 touchdowns. The problem is his best two receivers are now gone. Jamarko Simmons and Schneider Julien accounted for 1,988 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Tight end Branden Ledbetter added 464 yards and six scores and now he is gone too. Juan Nunez should be a fine top target, but the Broncos will have to find a few more to go along with Nunez. In the meantime, WMU can rely on the ground game. Brandon West rushed for over 1,000 yards and made 11 total trips to the end zone. With an experienced line returning, the offense should be dynamic, and maybe even a little more balanced, during the 2009 campaign.

Western Michigan’s Weakness:

There was no reason for this defense to give up nearly 400 yards per game. It was a senior laden group who sported some NFL caliber players like Louis Delmas. The secondary should have been one of the best in the MAC with C.J. Wilson, E.J. Biggers and Londen Fryar joining Delmas. Instead, the unit ranked 12 th in the conference in pass defense. Now those four are gone and it is hard to believe the unit will be better with Mario Armstrong, Doug Wiggins, Andy Dorcely and David Lewis than they were with four experienced seniors. The rest of the defense is not quite so hurt by departures, but there are still holes to fill. Linebacker Austin Pritchard is ready to emerge as the leader of the defense, but it is the play of the front four that will determine how successful the defense is this year.

Our Prediction for the 2009 Broncos:

And the Broncos have two quality players to build around up front. End Justin Braska led the team with 6.0 sacks a year ago and tackle Cody Cielenski was second with 4.0. Those two will spend some time in the opposing backfield, but it will be important that the team finds a couple other linemen who can step into a starting role. And at the moment that looks like it is going to be redshirt freshman Freddie Bishop and sophomore Drew Nowak.

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