OFFENSE

Western Michigan’s attack begins with junior quarterback Alex Carder, who developed from gritty leader to dangerous passer as the 2010 season wore on. He passed for 3,334 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first 12 games as a starter. But he can be reckless with his body, choosing to take on linebackers for the chance at an extra yard.

What makes coach Bill Cubit nervous is a somewhat unproven offensive line in front of his franchise quarterback, including possibly a first-year starter at left tackle.

Carder will have his top wideout back, with Jordan White granted a sixth year after catching 94 passes for 1,378 yards — the most in school history — and 10 touchdowns last season. White’s wing man, Juan Nunez (91 catches, 1,032 yards, 10 TDs), is gone, leaving questions about who will be WMU’s No. 2 wideout.

At running back, Aaron Winchester is a returning starter, but Brian Fields and Tevin Drake are likely to see the bulk of the carries. Fields and Drake both showed they can be productive in limited opportunities as freshmen. Drake led WMU with 405 yards rushing — at 10.1 yards per carry — despite playing in just six games. At 5'11", 212 pounds, he’s considered the Broncos’ most dynamic and promising runner of the Cubit era.

DEFENSE

For the first time heading into a season in Cubit’s tenure, the Broncos look as if they have a pair of established difference-making tackles and a true edge-rusher. Senior Drew Nowak (6'4", 292) and sophomore Travonte Boles (5'10", 303) proved to be a productive defensive tackle tandem last season. Lanky 6'5" junior Paul Hazel returns after an eight-sack season as a sophomore, though Hazel wore down late in the fall.

Two players to keep an eye on are linebacker Desmond Bozeman and rover Johnnie Simon. The coaches consider Bozeman to be the most talented linebacker on the roster. Simon, a heralded recruit as a safety a year ago, will try to replace all-conference selection Jamail Berry at the Broncos’ hybrid linebacker-safety position in the second season of defensive coordinator Dave Cohen’s scheme.

Sophomore Lewis Toler has become a weapon at cornerback. As a redshirt freshman, he led the MAC in passes defended with 14, including five INTs. Opposite Toler, however, there are questions at the other corner, where inconsistency plagued WMU in 2010.

SPECIALISTS

Senior kicker John Potter hit 10-of-12 field goals last season, but he was only allowed to attempt three beyond 40 yards. Senior Ben Armer netted 41.2 yards per punt as a junior, second-best in the MAC.

FINAL ANALYSIS

If it’s possible to reach a point where excitement and uneasiness collide, Western Michigan’s football program may be there. Two impressive performances to close the 2010 season, as well as the return of so many pivotal players, have undoubtedly created a buzz heading into 2011. However, a 6–6 record last fall and a fifth straight loss to rival Central Michigan have also placed serious pressure on Cubit entering his seventh year.

Cubit, who’s 40–33 at WMU with trips to two bowl games, has a team he believes is capable of contending in the difficult MAC West. He’ll know soon enough. The Broncos’ MAC schedule begins with an anxiety-packed Sept. 17 home date against the Chippewas.