2011 Western Michigan Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
Western Michigan is poised to make some noise in MAC West race this season. They possess an explosive offense led by a talented and experienced passer, and have a great MAC home schedule. They return seven defensive starters from last season’s team, including the entire front four. Their specialists are both seniors with a lot of experience. The offensive line must be rebuilt and is short on experience after losing three players to graduation and a fourth to a career-ending injury.
The Broncos face three BCS opponents out of conference, but could pull road upsets over Illinois and Connecticut as both teams will be adjusting to new players on both sides of the ball. If Central Michigan can come up with three wins in their first five games this could be a team that is set to surprise and win the MAC West title.
Alex Carder is what makes this team go and he has a go-to receiver in Jordan White, who is coming off a great 2010. White and Carder need Brian Fields and Tevin Drake to step up at the tailback position and ease the burden on the passing game. They lose key receiver Jaun Nunez, who had 91 catches and 10 TDs last season. Ansel Ponder and Robert Arnheim need to increase their production for White to succeed and should both improve drastically on their 2010 numbers.
Tim Maka is looking to grab a starting spot fresh from junior college along the offensive line and this unit needs to jell quickly to help the skill players succeed. Anthony Parker will move inside and Dann O’Neill returns at tackle for the Broncos, but two spots are up for grabs this fall along this unit.
Carder has the wheels and smarts to make plays and had a solid 30/12 TD to INT ratio last fall. This unit could be hard pressed to match last season’s 32.3 points per game if the line doesn’t come together quickly.
Defensively the Broncos return four solid starters up front, including Paul Hazel, who managed eight sacks as a sophomore. They will also have a very good tackle duo in Drew Nowak and Travone Boles, who combined for seven tackles-for-loss last season and should benefit from the extra attention Hazel is likely to garner.
Western Michigan loses two key starters at linebacker, but return leading-tackler Mitch Zajac and are high on Desmond Bozeman and Johnnie Simon. While they lose experience at the outside linebacker spots they feel they have better athleticism in place.
The secondary returns two starters, including corner Lewis Toler, who had five interceptions and fourteen passes-defended last season. There is competition at the opposite corner where red shirt freshman Garret Smith was penciled in following the spring. Doug Wiggins returns at strong safety and is expected to be joined by the athletic Demetrius Pettaway. This unit struggled at times, but really tightened up to end the season. The secondary returns enough depth and experience to capitalize on an pass rush that is expect to be improved.
Kicker John Potter made ten of twelve field goals last season and has made 72 extra points in a row. He doesn’t have a strong leg and is best inside of 40 yards. Punter Ben Armer had a solid 41.2 yards per punt average and a very solid 35.1 yards net last season. Dervon White returned a kick for a TD last year and averaged a healthy 27.2 yards per return. White was the primary punt returner, but may be replaced to keep him healthy.
Schedule Analysis: The Broncos open on the road versus Michigan. This could be a spot for an upset as the Wolverines will be adjusting to Brady Hoke’s new scheme. A rivalry game with Central Michigan opens their MAC schedule in week three. Road trips to Illinois and Connecticut are the kinds of games that can build momentum as both teams could be vulnerable. A home game versus a rebuilding Bowling Green squad sets the table for back-to-back road games versus Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. A home game versus Ball State should again be a nice lead-in to back-to-back road games versus Toledo and Miami (OH). A split in this spot likely guarantees bowl eligibility and could lead to a MAC West title. A home game with Akron closes out the season.
Final Record Predictions: 7-5 Overall (5-3, 3rd in the MAC West)
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