College Football Predictions – Western Michigan 2020 College Football Preview
July 2020
SCHEDULE NOTES UPDATE – OCT 2020.
2019 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 5-6-2
The Broncos started out the campaign at 3-3 and then got on a nice roll winning four of their next five MACtion contests. That put them in great shape heading into the season finale. What could possibly go wrong? Oops. They lost to Northern Illinois and that was that. They finished up the season by losing a tough one to the Hilltoppers in the First Responder Bowl (L 23-20).
Tim Lester has a 20-18 mark as HC of the Broncos. It’s been an up and down ride, and quite honestly, it feels like they have underachieved. Maybe this is the year they take down the MAC West?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – TBD
MAC – TBD
Western Michigan Broncos 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Broncos offense was potent and BALANCED last year as they ranked #5 in the MAC in rushing offense, #4 in passing offense, and #2 in total offense (446 YPG). They’ve now scored 30+ PPG in six consecutive seasons. There are some big changes coming this year with the departure of a 3,000-yard QB (Jon Wassink) and a 1,400-yard rusher (LaVante Bellamy). The reinforcements take the form of QB Kaleb Eleby who showed promise during the 2018 season (63%, 4-3 TD to INT) and a few interesting specimens at RB. Sean Tyler was the Broncos’ 2nd leading rusher LY (5 TD) and they add a few interesting transfers (Jaxson Kincade – Nevada, La’Darius Jefferson – Michigan St) to the mix. The WR unit is one of the most deadly in the MAC with the return of leading receiver Skyy Moore (902, 15.3, 3 TD LY) and a healthy D’Wayne Eskridge who only played in four games LY (38-776, 20.4, 3 TD in 2018). They’ll definitely miss their fine TE Giovanni Ricci who caught 51 balls and 8 TD passes a season ago. The offensive line returns four starters (all seniors) and should help the offense adjust to their many new faces.
This is one of the best offenses in the conference and a virtual LOCK to average 30+ PPG.
DEFENSE
The Broncos gave up yardage a season ago (#7 MAC total defense) and weren’t very successful vs the run (#7) or the THROW GAME (#9). They finished #3 in the conference in scoring defense with a very respectable 25.9 PPG mark thanks in large part to a defense that forced opponents to kick FGs in the red zone (#2 MAC red zone TD % allowed). Six starters return to the stop unit and there are positives worth noting at each level of the defense. Three starters are back up front including star DE Ali Fayad who’s led the Broncos in sacks in each of the past two seasons. TACKLING MACHINE Treshaun Howard (142 LY) is back to anchor the LB unit and recall that he bagged 5 sacks in his spare time a season ago. The secondary has a few good pieces to build around. CB Patrick Lupro led the team in INTs (3) and PD LY, safety A.J. Thomas is a veteran presence, and it can’t hurt to add Pitt transfer CB Therran Coleman into the starting rotation.
This defense looks good enough to support a run at the MAC Championship.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be a problem area. The PK duties, PR, and KR duties are up for grabs. P Nick Mihalic will likely do an acceptable job.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The plandemic schedule has them drawing Akron out of the East which is nice. They also get North Illinois and Toledo at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous noted.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Former Bronco WR Corey Davis is the FBS all-time career leader in receiving yards (5,278) and is one of only two players to tally more than 5,000 yards in their college career. Davis dominated in Kalamazoo from 2013 to 2016.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
There’s no reason why this team shouldn’t be a major player in the MAC this year. The offense might take a small step back but the defense just might pick up the slack. We like the fact that they only have one (!) true road game in MAC West play (Ball St) and that makes them a prime contender in the division. The October match-up with Central Michigan looms large.
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https://www.mlive.com/broncos/
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