2013 Western Mich Spring Football Analysis

Western Michigan Broncos 2013 ... Head Coach: Bill Cubit

Western Michigan Broncos

2013 Schedule
8/31 at Michigan State
9/7 Nicholls State
9/14 at Northwestern
9/21 at Iowa
9/28 Kent State
10/5 at Toledo
10/12 Buffalo
10/19 Ball State
10/26 at UMass
11/2 OPEN DATE
11/9 at Eastern Michigan
11/16 Central Michigan
11/23 OPEN DATE
11/26 at Northern Illinois

Why To Be Excited ... Is this the year the defense finally turns into a killer? The Broncos have had some dangerous and aggressive defenses over the years, and experience hasn’t always translated into production, but this year should be different with nine starters returning to a group that had some nice moments. It was consistently mediocre, and was disastrous against Kent State and Northern Illinois, but with the entire back eight returning, and only losing ends Deauntay Legrier and Freddie Bishop, the potential is there to go from decent to fantastic.

Why To Be Grouchy ... The offense might have Tyler Van Tubbergen in place for quarterback Alex Carder, but six starters are gone with the line a big problem losing four starters including tackle Dann O’Neill. The attack didn’t blow up like it was supposed to, and now there should be a bit of a rebuilding period. Van Tubbergen isn’t going to fly around, and the line needs to be able to protect him. Top target Jaime Wilson is back, but outside playmaker Eric Monette and veteran tight end Blake Hammond are done.

What Needs Working On ...Last year’s 4-8 team lost four games that could’ve easily swung the other way. To get those wins, he Broncos have to improve in turnover margin. The quarterbacks came up with a steady stream of picks, giving away 21, to go along with the team’s ten fumbles including three against Eastern Illinois and three more in the loss to Kent State. The bigger issue was a defense that failed to come up with enough big plays with no interceptions over the final four games and just eight on the year, while recovering a mere nine of the 23 opposition fumbles.

Non-Conference Games: at Michigan State, Nicholls State, at Northwestern, at Iowa
Games Against The East: Buffalo, Kent State, at UMass
Realistic Best Case Record: 8-4
Worst Case Record: 5-7
Likely Finish: 7-5

Pre-Preseason Projected Wins: Nicholls State, Kent State, Buffalo, Ball State, at UMass, at Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan

Pre-Preseason Projected Losses: at Michigan State, at Northwestern, at Iowa, at Toledo, at Northern Illinois

Schedule Analysis: The Broncos spend most of the first month on the road against Big Ten teams going to Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa before dealing with Kent State. The showdown against the Golden Flashes is the only home game in a four game stretch before going to Toledo, and then things ease up in a big way with Buffalo, Ball State, at UMass at Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan to potentially go on a roll before closing out with the showdown at Northern Illinois.

Team Concerns For 2013: The Broncos have to be better at hanging on to the ball. Miserable in the turnover margin, WMU gave it up 31 times on the season while the defense came up with a mere 17 takeaways. That wasn't the only reason for losing five of the final six games, but it didn't help. Seven starters are gone on offense including quarterback Alex Carder and four starters up front to a decent line that struggled to get the running game going. The punting game that averaged an abysmal 33.65 yards per try needs more out of J. Schroeder.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Offensive linemen, especially guard. The Broncos might have a future star in outside linebacker Caleb Bailey, and end Andre Turner is a terrific pass rushing prospect, but the offense got the biggest boost with two terrific guards - Shakier Carr and Josh Bass - to go along with a few other options. Receivers Corey Davis and Darius Phillips should be among the MAC's best new pass catchers. Daryl Chestnut out of Miami will one day lead the team in rushing, and it'll help to have this class of linemen.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 98. That Class Was Heavy On ... Wide receivers. Lots and lots of wide receivers. The Broncos have spent years on the line, and now it’s time for the pass protection to shine while giving Alex Carder time to work to all the new options. The receiving corps loses a ton of talent, and it’ll be a must for JUCO transfers Justin Collins and Darrin Duncan, among others, to become ready to play right off the bus.  

22011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 103. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. The last few classes have mostly addressed the offense, but outside of three-star receiver Kendrick Roberts, this class is mostly trying to load up on the offensive front. While there might not be any ready-made starters, 6-10, 290-pound Ben Davidson is an extremely intriguing tackle option and 6-5, 260-pound versatile guard Dustin Pringle has excellent upside. 6-5, 220-pound outside linebacker Jarrell McKinney could quickly grow into a whale of a pass rushing end.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 81. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive potential. The Broncos beefed up the line with last year's class creating the foundation for this year's haul of skill players to potentially roll. Mike Perish and Zack Wynn will battle it out for the starting quarterback spot sooner than later, while running backs Dareyon Chance, Tevin Drake, and Weston Ross all provide something difference and should all the offense to be more ground oriented than in the past.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 86. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. Ben Samson has the potential to be an anchor at one tackle spot, while the guard prospects, particularly Mark Zielinski and Josh Hadel, have big-time potential. The defense didn’t get a whole bunch of help.