2008 Western Michigan Broncos Preview

After playing in the International Bowl two seasons ago, Western Michigan viewed 2007 as a minor setback, a speed bump. Or so it hopes. The Broncos struggled to a 5–7 finish last year, giving up a lot of points and turning it over way too often. There are reasons to believe things will turn around this season, but Western must become more consistent and fill some holes, particularly along the offensive line, if it wants to be back in the hunt for the MAC West title.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Broncos

This is a talented team, but it has to make big strides up front on offense and cut down on the turnovers. Expect the pickoff problem to be solved by Tim Hiller’s experience. He’ll be more accurate and less prone to taking chances, especially if a couple of young receivers emerge as strong complements to Jamarko Simmons. The line is big but young, and it has to be more able to create space for the ground game, or the Broncos won’t be able to keep their defense off the field. Not that the D needs that much help, thanks to its experience. With 10 returning starters, a strong front seven and potential for depth and productivity in the backfield, the Broncos should be in pretty good shape there. The challenge for Western is to overcome the problems that caused it to fail in close games last year. Three of the four Bronco MAC losses came by four points or fewer. One or two plays per game could have made a huge difference in ’07, and Western needs to find a way to change that luck this year. Central Michigan is the top dog in the West, but there is no reason why the Broncos can’t mount a strong challenge for the division title. If they cut back on the mistakes and gets a little tougher up front, that is definitely possible.

Quarterbacks

After missing ’06 with a knee injury, Tim Hiller made a great comeback last year, throwing for 3,021 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 63.4 percent of his passes. For the Broncos to get better, however, he has to cut back on his interceptions (15) and get the ball into the end zone more often. Hiller has a great frame (6'5", 228) and can make the throws necessary, but he isn’t the most mobile quarterback around. That’s not a huge concern, since he isn’t asked to run very much.

Running backs

The Broncos are in pretty good shape here, thanks primarily to the return of junior Brandon West, who rushed for 848 yards last year. The 5'10", 188-pounder has quick feet and breakaway speed. With the departure of Mark Bonds (690 yards), West will get more opportunities and has to prove he can handle the extra work. Glenis Thompson is a battering ram who will get work in goal line and other short-yardage situations. The speedy Aaron Winchester could contribute as a true freshman.

Receivers

There is no doubt who Hiller’s main target is — Jamarko Simmons, who caught 84 passes last year. The 6'2" senior isn’t going to blast past too many people, but he gets open, is hard to tackle and is consistent. He could catch 100 passes this year. Trouble is, he needs some help. That’s why the Broncos were so happy to see sophomore Jordan White dashing past people this spring after catching 19 passes last year. While the wideout corps takes shape, the Broncos are happy with their tight ends, particularly senior Branden Ledbetter, who caught 38 balls last year and scored six times.

Offensive linemen

Two starters return from last year’s unit, and this group has to improve if the Broncos want to climb the standings. The spring provided a chance for sophomore Nick Mitchell to wrestle the center spot away from Paul Wasikowski, who moved over from guard before drills but couldn’t hold on to the pivot. Mitchell will work between sophomores Phillip Swanson and Nick Clemens in a middle unit that has size, if not experience, on its side.

Defensive linemen

If the offensive front is turning to youth, then its defensive counterpart is an old-folks home by comparison. Three starters return, and upperclassmen abound on the depth chart. The top producers can be found at the end. Seniors Zach Davidson (12.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks) and Greg Marshall (11.0, 6.5) will put pressure on enemy attacks from the outside, while junior Cody Cielenski (6.0, 3.5) occupies blockers and can get through the gaps on the nose.

Linebackers

If Austin Pritchard can come back from a knee injury suffered in the opener last year against West Virginia, the Broncos’ linebacking corps should be a strength. Before tearing his knee ligament, Pritchard had made 11 tackles and looked ready for big things. He didn’t participate in contact this spring, but he’s expected to be ready come fall. Even without him, the Broncos have some star power at linebacker. Senior Boston McCornell posted a team-high 99 tackles last years, while Dustin Duclo had 74.

Defensive backs

The undisputed top dog of the secondary is senior corner Londen Fryar, who has been a first-team All-MAC choice two straight years. Fryar picked off one pass last year but didn’t get too much work, because teams wouldn’t throw his way. Senior E.J. Biggers is expected to start on the other side, but sophomore David Lewis, who had a big spring, is closing hard on that spot. Louis Delmas made 64 tackles from the free safety position last year and has good ball-hawking skills. C.J. Wilson is next to him, after piling up 66 stops in ’07. It will be interesting to see where junior college newcomer Jamail Berry fits in. He’s listed as a safety but could play outside.

Specialists

Both kicking jobs are up for grabs, but there are some signs that trouble does not loom. Chris Kelly made 2-of-3 field goal tries last year and will be pushed by Caleb Morris, a transfer from Maryland. Ben Armer, a redshirt freshman, takes over as punter, and he’ll have to live up to Jim Laney’s 43.9-yard average.

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