College Football Predictions – Western Michigan 2019 College Football Preview
2018 Recap
Record –7-6
ATS – 4-9
The Broncos opened up the season with tough games vs Syracuse and Michigan, and those contests went about as you would expect (L 55-42, L 49-3). They proceeded to get on a HEATER and win six straight games including triumphs over the hated Chippewas and Eagles. Western Michigan struggled once their starting QB got injured but still had a shot to get to the MAC Championship Game. Ball St ended those hopes. They were crushed in the Idaho Potato Bowl by BYU but that was a tough spot.
Expectations are high this year with a very experienced team returning for battle. Do they have what it takes to win all the MAC marbles?
2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #3
MAC – #4
Western Michigan Broncos 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
WHOA NELLIE.
The Broncos averaged 32.0 PPG last year (#4 MAC) but would have been a lot more potent had starting QB Jon Wassink not been injured (nine starts). This year’s unit looks like one of the best in the conference with Wassink back for his senior campaign and a lot of weapons at RB, WR and TE.
LaVante Bellamy was a 1st Team MAC honoree a season ago and he rushed for over 1,200 yards and 6 TDs, averaging an impressive 6.0 yards a pop. Bellamy will be one of the best backs in the MAC but it’s unclear what kind of depth they have in the unit. Last year’s leading receiver Jayden Reed transferred to Sparty but they boast one of the most explosive playmakers in the conference in D’Wayne Eskridge who is ROCKET FAST and averaged over 20 yards per catch in 2018. TE Giovanni Ricci hauled in 35 balls last year and we like the depth in the WR room. THE HITS KEEP COMING when you reflect upon an offensive line that returns four starters to the mix. These guys allowed just 20 sacks LY and paved the way for 199 YPG on the ground.
Western Michigan has booked 32+ PPG in each of the past five years (32.0 LY). We project them to score 35+ PPG if Wassink can stay healthy. <grabs popcorn>
DEFENSE
The Broncos defense was acceptable last year from a yardage allowed standpoint (387 YPG, #6 MAC) but they got torched through the air (30 TD passes) and gave up an UNSEEMLY 34.5 PPG. Their red zone defense was atrocious (#117 FBS).
We have good news to report! Western Michigan returns 10 (!) starters to the stop unit and thirteen of their top-fourteen tacklers from a season ago. The Broncos were #2 in the MAC last year in TFL/game and we love the fact that they return so much production in the PENETRATION department. The front seven looks solid and all they need to do is clean things up on the back-end of the defense. EXCITING news coming out of Kalamazoo. D’Wayne Eskridge (yup, the deadly WR) is going to attempt to play DEFENSE (CB) when he is not torching opposing secondaries. We can’t wait to see if he can pull off the double-duty and do both jobs effectively.
It wouldn’t shock us to see the Broncos improve their scoring defense by more than a TD per game (34.5 PPG LY).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Yikes. This was a major problem area in 2018 but they bring in a new STC from Miami, and PK Thiago Kapps was decent LY (10/13 FG).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s difficult. They have tough road contests with Michigan St and Syracuse and were SHAFTED on the MAC docket. Western Michigan plays all of their toughest games on the road. Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Northern Illinois. We blame the Russians.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing noted.
Season Win Total
Over 7.5 -120
Under 7.5 +100
MEGALOCKS says:
This team looks really good on paper, but the schedule is a bear. Will pass on this market for now.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Former Bronco Corey Davis is the FBS all-time leader in receiving yards (5,278).
Prior to 1939, Western Michigan’s athletic teams were known as the Hilltoppers.
MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Positive
This team looks loaded and ready to make a run for a MAC Championship. The offense is excellent and the defense will be improved. The big issue, of course, is a schedule that is UNWAVERING when it comes to providing the Broncos with stiff road tests. If they can find a way to beat either Toledo or Northern Illinois on the road (or both?) then it’s GAME ON. Don’t forget that these guys haven’t had a losing campaign since 2013 and should be confident heading into the season.
Tim Lester has been a disappointment ATS tallying a record of just 9-15-1 vs the number. This team feels like a BURGEONING JUGGERNAUT that will be able to exceed market expectations more often than not in 2019. We’ll call for a snap-back and a profitable season for bettors.
Want more Western Michigan football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.wmubroncos.com/index.aspx?path=football
FORUM
http://csnbbs.com/forum-489.html
https://247sports.com/college/western-michigan/Board/Waldo-Stadium-104019/
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2711/western-michigan-broncos
https://www.mlive.com/broncos/
http://bleacherreport.com/western-michigan-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/western-michigan-broncos
TWITTER
Hashtag – #LetsRide
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