Western Michigan Breakdown: Just Average
5 comments so far
August 28, 2008 by
Let me tell you what is so weird about this team. There was an aura of strangeness around this team in 2007. They beat an Iowa team to which they were supposed to lose by two touchdowns. The lost to Eastern Michigan 19-2, strange considering they have averaged 31 points/game against them in the last 11 years. Central Michigan ended up scoring the game winner with 12 seconds left.
The icing on the cake was the Akron game. They took an intentional safety to give them the surefire win with 15 seconds left on the clock. The ensuing kick return then goes 89 yards, handing the Broncos a 38-39 loss.
As disappointing as those types of seasons can be, they were tight in many of the match ups they faced. Highly ranked teams like Missouri and West Virginia easily handled this team, but they were able to hang on closely with almost everyone they played. With 10 returning defensive starters, and a number of returning skill players on offense, they could see a winning season and a potential bowl game this year.
The majority of the Broncos numbers came through the air last year. With a returning 3000+ yards passer and a couple of highly touted wide receivers and tight ends, it will be imperative to put pressure on #3 Tim Hiller. 20 touchdowns helped them along, but the 15 interceptions were a cause for concern. WMU averaged 268 passing yards/game, but were held to 32, 30, and 53 rushing yards in three games last year.
Compounding their inability to get the football rolling downhill, their run stopping was a pretty weak showing, allowing 179 yards/game. Expect that number to improve this year, but it probably won't start out great against the experienced running back corp of Nebraska.
If everything we're hearing is true, the Huskers should be able to put up 40+ points on this team while holding them to less than 20. Lucky & Company should out rush them 215 to 50 yards. As long as our defense can put pressure on the quarterback and really jam those receivers at the line, Ganz can out pass WMU 300 to 200 yards as well. They are a great litmus test to see what Nebraska is really good at.
When I check out a team like this, I usually look for a couple of statistics that jump out that help indicate what kind of group we're facing. The interesting thing is that there was nothing interesting about Western Michigan. They were consistently ranking in the 40-80 range in most major statistical categories. What this tells me is that this is a mediocre team. Not bad, not good, just average.
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Bill in Iowa Aug 28 08
This team will be a great test for out defense. Will we get a pass rush from the front four against a line that averages 6-4 300? Can our secondary hold their own against very speedy recievers in the spread offense? Can we tackle in space against the spread? And of course, how will the LB's perform, can they stop run, can they shut down a quality tight end?
I agree that our O will run all over their D. So, an average performance by our Defense should give us the upperhand. A great performance by our D means we win by 2-3 touchdowns. A poor performance and we lose or pull out a close game. Either way, its going to be fun to see where we are at in terms of the Defenses development.
James Moore Aug 28 08
What will be interesting to see is the reaction from the players IF, and a big IF, Western Michigan comes out, wins the toss and scores first. . .
Obviously not pulling for that. BUT if this scenario transpired and let's say for arguments sake we're trailing 7-0 at the end of the 1st it will be interesting to see if the players stay patient, Ganz doesn't try to force a play, and the defense continues to carry out assignments as called. . .
Don't think this will happen. This offensive line is DYING to go out and clobber people and I see them as the force that will rally these guys throughout the year in pressure moments, setting the tempo, attitude, and identity of the Pelini era. . .
Prediction: Nebraska 42 - Western Michigan 17
OU7times Aug 28 08
Do you guys really think that WMU will NOT be psyched out just by the throng of screaming Bo-mo's wearing foam corn heads, no less? I don't see them scoring often. NU-41 WMU-13
Dwayne Aug 28 08
OU I see your 41-13 and raise you 41-14. It's a route with ball control offense to give that defense some confidence. I see a lot of swing passes out of the backfield and a few over the top. Hopefully fans won't get their pants in a bunch when it looks like yesteryear.
Greg Morrow Aug 28 08
How Joey and the "D" perform, is what I'm most interested in. I'm sure Joey will do fine though and nothing else about the offense concerns me a nary a wit.
That "D," obviously isn't up to blackshirt standards, or the starting crew would be sporting them, posing in them for the media group shot.
Oh, about Western Michigan. They're not Western Illinois, or Maine or, uh, San Jose st. Or, who else..Nicholls st. They should give Nebraska a nice pushing and shoving exchange and maybe, Nebraska has decisive speed to make say, 3 or 4 more plays than they.
Cup cakes after that, then a real test with a team in the Hokies who physically anyway,
can trade back and forth and step for step. May even have some advantages.
Like Bo say's, the team could be zeroed in.
Now's the time to zero in on a new (old) level of aggressiveness that won't quit, regardless of the score.