By John Agovino Aug 21, 2007, 16:35 GMT
OFFENSE: The Broncos were not overwhelming offensively last season, but the team put forth a consistent effort in almost every game. The biggest issue entering this year will be at QB as former starter Ryan Cubit was lost to graduation. Thomas Peregin, who picked up two starts last season, is the favorite for the job, but don't forget about the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2005, Tim Hiller. Now a sophomore, Hiller returns from a major knee injury which kept him off the field all last year and he will definitely have some of the top targets in the conference to which to look. Jamarko Simmons and Chris Maragos give WMU two serious deep threats, while Branden Ledbetter, the top tight end in the conference, is a formidable force in the middle of the field. The ground game will once again be led by Mark Bonds, who is coming off a terrific season in which he rushed for 1,082 yards and seven scores. Bonds, along with speedster Brandon West give the Broncos a solid one-two punch.
DEFENSE: In 2006, the WMU defense attacked the quarterback with reckless abandon and the result was a +12 turnover ratio. Seven starters are back in the fold, however, the unit did lose MAC Defensive Player of the Year Ameer Ismail, who recorded a national-best 17 sacks a year ago. WMU ranked sixth in the nation against the run last season (76.1 ypg), and while it might be tough to reach that level of success again, expect a similar effort. Cory Flom and Nick Varcadipane both return to the tackle position, while Greg Marshall and Zach Davidson will man the slots on the end. As mentioned, the loss of Ismail hurts the linebacking corps, but now Dustin Duclo will be the leader of the group and he will be surrounded by hard-hitting juniors Cornelius Robinson and Austin Pritchard. The strength of the WMU defense is a secondary which led the nation with an outstanding 24 interceptions in '06. All four starters are back this year and shockingly enough all four are only juniors. Londen Fryar was a First Team All-MAC selection last year, and he recorded five INTs, while safety C.J. Wilson logged 62 tackles and three picks.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Other than the quarterback position this is the only area of concern for the Broncos. Senior kicker Mike Jones has attempted just one field goal in his career, and fellow senior Jim Laney only averaged a little better than 38 yards per punt a year ago. The return jobs are open to any player, but by the beginning of the season expect to see either E.J. Biggers or West returning punts.
OUTLOOK: If there is a team that is going to defeat the defending champion Chippewas it is the Broncos. Offensively, the team does need to figure out its quarterback situation, but on the other side of the ball, WMU is arguably the best team in the MAC. If the offense can put forth a better effort this season and the defense stays true to form, expect to the see the Broncos in another bowl game. There are two huge games on WMU's schedule, a season-opening road tilt at perennial powerhouse West Virginia and a November 6th meeting with Central Michigan. WMU will have a chance to see how good its run defense really is when it faces Steve Slaton and the Mountaineers in the opener. As for the CMU matchup, that one will likely decide the winner of the MAC West.
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