2010 Western Michigan Football Predictions

August 31, 2010

BetOnline

The Western Michigan Broncos were unable to match their 2008 performance in 2009, as the Broncos went just 5-7 after finishing the 2008 season at 9-4. The Broncos still managed to finish .500 in MAC play, going 4-4. Heading into the 2010 season the Broncos have just 13 starters back, but many are calling for them to be right there in the hunt for the West division crown. To help you get a better picture of what the Broncos will look like this season, here is a quick breakdown of both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where the Broncos will finish up the year in the MAC West.

Offense:

The Broncos offense takes a big hit as they lose the school’s all-time leading passer Tim Hiller. Sophomore Alex Carder is expected to step in and take over the starting job, but he has little experience to prepare himself for the upcoming season, as he attempted just seven passes as a freshman.

One thing in favor of Carder is the fact that the Broncos have arguably the best receiving corps in the MAC this season. As they return four receivers who caught at least 32 passes last seaon. The two targets Carder will likely turn to early are junior Robert Arnheim and senior Jordan White. Arheim led the way with 59 catches for 701 yards and three scores, but White wasn’t too far behind with 53 catches for 681 yards and four touchdowns. Also keep an eye out for seniors Chleb Ravenell and Juan Nunez.

The Broncos will have to make a change at the running back position, as 2009 starter Brandon West is no longer around. Heading into the fall it looks as though junior Aaron Winchester is going to get the first shot at taking over the starting job, while red-shirt freshmen Antoin Scriven and Brian Fields figure in as the primary backups.

Another reason the Broncos believe the offense is going to be just fine with Carder in charge, is the fact that the Broncos return four starters up front on the offensive line. Junior left tackle Anthony Parker is one of the best linemen in all over the MAC, and this unit will have no problems at all if former Michigan transfer Dann O’Neill can step in and start at the open right tackle spot.

Defense:

The Broncos will have just over half the starting lineup back in 2010, as six starters return to this side of the ball. The Broncos only had three starters back in 2009 and as expected the defense struggled. The hope is that this unit will turn it around and keep the Broncos in games this year instead of losing them.

Only two starters return to the defensive line for the Broncos, but there is some potential for improved play, as they return one of the top young defensive ends in sophomore Freddie Bishop. The Broncos also get back junior defensive tackle Drew Nowak, who figures to form a pretty good tandem in the middle with likely new starter Weston Peiffer. If this unit can slow down the run, the Broncos should have no problems improving on this side of the ball.

Opposing offenses have to keep an eye on senior linebacker Jamail Berry, as Berry plays more of a rover position for the Broncos, and he came away with a team best five interceptions in 2009. The Broncos will add Wisconsin transfer Dex Jones into the starting lineup at weak-side linebacker, and this kid is very fast and could be a big time playmaker for the defense this season.

In the secondary  the Broncos look like they will be very young at the two starting corner spots, as red-shirt freshmen Tronic Williams and Lewis Toler are expected to step in right away and start. The good news is both starters return at the two safety spots, and former Miami, FL transfer Dough Wiggins is being considered as one of the top safeties in the MAC this season.

MAC West Predictions: 2nd:  I think the Broncos are going to make some big improvements this season, but I don’t think it is going to result in a conference title. I think Carder is going to have some growing struggles in his first season as a starter, and I am still not completely sold on the defense making a huge turnaround this season. I currently have the Broncos finishing second in the West behind Northern Illinois, even though the Broncos get the Huskies at home this season.

For a more detailed look at how the conference will finish up this season, check out our 2010 MAC predictions.

If you are looking to make some money betting on the college football odds this season, be sure to stop back each week for our expert college football picks.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions, Football Rankings 

Comments

Comments are closed.