The Broncos now must move forward without record-setting QB Tim Hiller who graduated and signed with the Indianapolis Colts.  RB Brandon West became a staple to the offense too over the past few seasons, leaving as the all-time all-purpose yardage leader in football history.

WMU Coach Bill Cubit welcomes his new offensive players with open arms (Icon SMI)

Even with those 2009 standout players, something was missing.

The Broncos finished 21st in the nation in passing offense last season but just 80th in scoring offense.  Defensively the Broncos ended up 101st nationally in total defense and 77th in scoring defense.  The net-net was a disappointing 5-7 season for a team that should have contended for a MAC championship.

Former Hofstra head coach Dave Cohen is the new defensive coordinator at Western after the school dropped football during the offseason.

The Team

Alex Carder, Drew Burdi and Tyler Van Tubbergen will via for the open QB slot.  Carder appeared in nine games last year but attempted only seven passes.  Losing Brandon West and his 1,164 yards will hurt a rushing attack that wasn’t very good to begin with; Aaron Winchester looks to be the starter even though he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry last season.  No matter who is throwing the ball, Western is loaded at WR, namely Robert Arnheim, Juan Nunez Jordan White and Chleb Ravenell.  The offensive line will be a work in progress with only two starters returning.  With three unproven sophomores listed as starters, it could be a rough early season for whoever wins the QB spot.

The defensive line is led JUCO transfer John Rice, cousin of NFL hall-of-fame receiver Jerry Rice.  Deauntay Legrier is a force at LB while safeties Jamail Berry and Doug Wiggins offer stability for defensive backfield.  Ansel Ponder and Jordan White are splendid return specialists.

The Verdict

During Bill Cubit’s tenure at Western, every time I pick them to finish high, they finished 5-7; and every time I’ve picked them to be sub-.500, they’ve averaged eight wins for those three seasons.  On the surface, this looks to be a rebuilding job for the Broncos due to so many graduated playmakers on both sides of the ball.  However WMU has consistently recruited very well during the Cubit era and those young players will be deeply tested this season against teams like Michigan State and Notre Dame.

If Western survives a brutal October schedule, they will once again prove me wrong and finish with a winning season. Give the fantasy edge to WR Arnheim and Nunez, Winchester next and Vince tells me he and Matt Ryan like Carder by a hair over Burdi at QB.

2010 Schedule & Prediction

Sept 4  at Michigan State L
Sept 11  Nichols State  W
Sept 18  Toledo   W
Oct 2  Idaho   W
Oct 9  at Ball State  L
Oct 16  at Notre Dame  L
Oct 23  at Akron  L
Oct 30  NIU   L
Nov 5  at Central Michigan L
Nov 13  Eastern Michigan W
Nov 20  Kent State  W
Nov 26  at BGSU  L

5-7 Overall; 3-5 MAC

Nick Gerogosian of VandelaySports.com is the MAC Daddy – for years he has covered the Mid-American Conference with all a fanatic’s passion and a beat reporter’s attention to detail. You might recall his post-spring MAC briefings - he again joins Fantasy College Blitz to prepare you for your draft like no one else can.

Related posts:

1. Eastern Michigan Eagles 2010 Preview
2. Central Michigan Chippewas 2010 Preview
3. 2010 Bowling Green Falcons Preview
4. 2010 Ball State Cardinals Preview
5. 2010 Buffalo Bulls Preview

Tags: Bill Cubit, MAC