NCAA Football Preview - Western Michigan Broncos
Sports Network | August 19, 2008
2008 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: The biggest question mark for the Broncos in '08 will be the offensive line. Coach Cubit only returns two starters up front, so it is imperative that redshirt freshman Anthony Parker and sophomore Nick Clemens learn the system quickly, and give quarterback Tim Hiller adequate protection.
Hiller is coming off a strong junior campaign in which he completed 63.4 percent of his passes for over 3,021 yards and 20 scores against 15 INTs. The junior is one of the top signal callers in the MAC, and with two of his top targets from last season back, expect another strong season from Hiller. "Its a great benefit.", said Hiller. "Those guys make me look good more often than not. My job becomes managing the game and distributing the ball to the play makers and letting them make plays."
Those play makers are Jamarko Simmons and Branden Ledbetter. Simmons is an extremely dangerous receiver and is coming off a tremendous junior campaign which was capped off with a spot on the All-MAC First Team. As for Ledbetter, he is one of the more complete tight ends in the conference, and although he took a slight step back last season, the senior should be one of the team's main red zone threats. The rushing attack for WMU will also feature a minor face lift, as the team will rely mainly on Brandon West this fall. Last season West was joined by Mark Bond, and the two-headed monster combined for 1,538 yards and 12 scores, but with Bond now gone it is West's time to shine.
DEFENSE: The Broncos were abysmal on the defensive side of the ball in 2007, but with 10 starters returning this unit is bound to make tremendous strides forward. Overall, this is an experienced group, beginning with the front line which returns all four starters, including defensive tackle, Nick Varcadipane. "All of the defensive players are all veterans." said Varcadipane. "We all know what the other is doing so we dont have to worry about miscommunication. We communicate well together and that is the main part on defense." Along with Varcadipane the Broncos also return their nasty DE tandem of Zach Davidson and Greg Marshall. Both players collected 6.5 sacks last season, and are certainly capable of increasing those numbers.
The linebackers are also strong, thanks to the return of Boston McCornell, who led the squad last season with 99 tackles. While the front line is filled with experience, the same can be said for the secondary which returns all four starters, including cornerback Londen Fryar. Fryar, who had 16 PBUs last season, was selected to the All-MAC First Team in both 2006 and '07, and he will likely earn a spot on that team once again this year if all goes according to plan.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Broncos will feature a shake-up in the return game this season as Brandon West took care of most of the kick returns last year, averaging 25.9 yards per attempt to go along with one score. However, with West taking sole control of the running back duties, expect to see Louis Delmas move into the kick return role. Delmas returned seven kicks last season, and is more than capable to provide the Broncos with that homerun threat. Schneider Julien could also shag some kicks, but the senior wideout will likely remain as the sole punt returner, as he will look to improve his 8.1 ypr average from a year ago. Chris Kelly, who took over for Mike Jones late last season, will be the main kicker for WMU in '08, and the new punter will likely be redshirt freshman Ben Armer.
OUTLOOK: In 2007, the Broncos kicked things off at Big East power West Virginia, and this year the team has an equally tough task, heading to Lincoln for a showdown with Big 12 foe Nebraska. That is not the only tough road game for the Broncos this fall, as the squad will also battle Central Michigan and Ball State away from home. The schedule aside, the Broncos should enjoy more success this season. The offense is expected to be as tough as last year's unit, while the defense should be vastly improved. Is the MAC title a possibility? Time will tell.
