Western Michigan Broncos 2022 College Football Preview
June 30, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 6-6-1
The Broncos got off to a great 4-1 start that included an entertaining SHOCK the WORLD moment when they took down Pittsburgh on the road (W 44-41). Western Michigan SHAT the BED around midseason and lost three MAC games in the span of a month, and that meant, GLUG GLUG GLUG, another promising season into the BIN OF MEDIOCRITY. At least they managed to salvage some pride by CREMATING Nevada in the Quick Lane Bowl (W 52-24).
Western Michigan Broncos 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Broncos almost always put a fine offense on the field and LY was no exception. They were productive and balanced (214 YPG rush, 254 pass) and finished #2 in the MAC in total offense (#12 FBS). There’s a yuuuuge hole to be filled at QB given the departure of Kaleb Eleby (3,277, 23-6 TD to INT LY) and the hope is that LY’s backup Jack Salopek can become the next excellent Bronco QB. There’s no such worry at RB where one of the best 1-2 combos in the nation returns for battle. Sean Tyler and La’Darius Jefferson combined for 1,986 yards and 19 rushing TDs in 2021 and they’ll be a HOT HANDFUL once again. The ground game will have to be excellent given that only one WR who caught a pass (!) is back in the mix (Corey Crooms, 44-768, 6 TD), and note that the Broncos bring back just two starters up front. They’ll need the big boys that transferred into the program to step in and produce right away.
DEFENSE
Western Michigan played some good D in 2021 (#1 MAC total defense, #4 scoring defense) and were able to book a whopping 43 sacks (#1 MAC, T6 FBS). 3rd downs were a BARREN WASTELAND for opposing offenses as they were held to a 26.8% conversion rate (#2 FBS). They bring back seven starters including their top-three tacklers and should be really good this year even with the departure of two extremely disruptive DL (Ali Fayad, Ralph Holley – combined 19 sacks, 13 QBH LY). They’ll still be strong up front as they’ve got solid returning talent and added to the group via the transfer portal. You want linebackers? They return everyone including their fine MLB Corvin Moment who led the team in tackles LY whilst tallying 14 TFL. The secondary has a pair of returning starters including ace CB Dorian Jackson. This stop unit is in good shape.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PURE STENCH. Yup, they were the worst special teams unit in America LY according to the great Phil Steele’s ratings. Our SPECIAL TEAMS DEPARTMENT didn’t think they were that bad and they bring back Sean Tyler on KR (2 TD LY) (!) and Nick Mihalic who hit 9-11 FG (miss 3 XP) after taking over for BLIND AS A BAT Parker Sampson (3-7 FG, miss 2 XP).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – As the kids like to say, there’s a lot to UNPACK here. September is pretty tough as it features a pair of Power 5 opponents (at Michigan St, Pittsburgh) and a trip out west (San Jose St). They’ve got a run of three straight home games around midseason and finish with a three-game MACtion MURDERERS ROW that’ll determine their fortunes (NIU, at CM, Toledo).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 24th – at San Jose St
This will be the Broncos’ 3rd road test in four weeks and San Jose St will be looking for SWEET REVENGE after losing 23-3 in Kalamazoo last year.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline June 30
Over 6.5 +135
Under 6.5 -165
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
This appears to be another very competitive edition of Western Michigan football but it’ll take a good effort to get to seven wins.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
There aren’t too many DEGENERATES that have HC Tim Lester on their Christmas Card list as he’s gone 24-31-2 (43.6%) vs the spread with the Broncos. That heinous mark includes a 7-15-2 record on the road (31.2%).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The Broncos have been bowl eligible in each of Tim Lester’s five seasons but they haven’t been able to get to the MAC Championship Game. The defense is title-worthy but the offense will have to exceed our expectations if they’re going to win the division. The good news is that they get Northern Illinois and Toledo at home. We expect them to fall just short (again) but bag enough wins to go bowling.
Want more Western Michigan football ?
WEBSITE
https://wmubroncos.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://csnbbs.com/forum-489.html
NEWS
https://www.mlive.com/broncos/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2711/western-michigan-broncos