– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – MAC – Broncos
Looking for 2017 Western Michigan Broncos predictions? The Broncos come into this season, off the best season last year in school history. They finished the season with a perfect regular season record, and that secured them a spot in the Cotton Bowl. They did fall to the Wisconsin Badgers in that game, but it put the Broncos on the map. But this team has gone through a lot of chances this off season.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Western Michigan Broncos
- Head Coach: Tim Lester
- 2016 Record: 13-1
- Western Michigan Broncos Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +30000
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Head coach PJ Fleck left to take a job at the University of Michigan, and the Broncos picked Tim Lester to take over.
So can Tim Lester build off the success that PJ Fleck started? Or will they take a step back this year?
2017 Western Michigan Broncos Predictions: Team Strengths
Passing Defense: This Western Michigan Broncos team is good, and the best part of the team is probably the pass defense.
They are an experienced group that has gone through a lot with each other and are battle tested. If the Broncos want to reach their goals this year.
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Senior corner Darius Phillips and sophomore safety Justin Tranquill are the leaders of the group that should have no problem shutting down opposing teams pass.
In front of the secondary, the linebacker crew is just as good. They are led by Robert Spillane at middle linebacker who was the leading tackler last year for the Broncos.
Running Strong: Last year the rushing game was really strong for the Broncos, and that should be the case again this series.
They have the dynamic duo back from last year Jarvion Franklin who rushed for 1,353 yards and 12 touchdowns and Jamauri Bogan 923 yards and eight touchdowns.
They also have three of their starters back from the offensive line last year, and they should have no issues opening up big wholes for the Broncos again this year.
2017 Western Michigan Broncos Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Young on Offense: Now it’s still to be seen if the Broncos offense will be a weakness, but they are young and that could cause some issues.
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Gone from last years team are four year starter Zach Terrell at quarterback, and top ten draft pick Corey Davis at wide receiver.
Not only is there going to be a new quarterback, and a new wide receiver, they are going to have to learn a completely new system and that could cause some issues too.
Tough Schedule: The expectations are high, and now that Western Michigan and their fans have tasted success they want more.
Under a regime most teams would schedule a cake walk to start the season to give the coaches, and players some confidence.
That isn’t what the Broncos did though. To start the season they travel to USC to take on the Trojans, a team that is supposed to compete for a National Title.
In the second game of the season it doesn’t get much easier. Michigan State had a down year last year, but they are still good, and a power five team.
Those two games will really test the team and the coaching staff will find out what they are all about after those two games.
Western Michigan Broncos Prediction: 8-4
Even if Western Michigan loses the first two games, they can’t let that affect the rest of the season. They need to use what they learn in the first two games, even if they are loses to their advantage.
After the first two games they should be okay in the rest of the season.
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The MAC is supposed to be tough this year, and I don’t think the Broncos will come out on top. I do think they are good enough though to come out top three.
2017 Western Michigan Broncos Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 5:15 PM ET @USC
- 9/9/17 3:30 PM ET @MSU
- 9/16/17 7:00 PM ET IDHO
- 9/23/17 TBD WAG
- 9/30/17 TBD BALL
- 10/7/17 3:30 PM ET @BUFF
- 10/14/17 3:30 PM ET AKR
- 10/21/17 2:00 PM ET @EMU
- 11/1/17 TBD CMU
- 11/8/17 TBD KENT
- 11/15/17 TBD @NIU
- 11/24/17 TBD @TOL
What do you think about our 2017 Western Michigan Broncos predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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