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2009 Western Michigan College Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

western mich 61609 The Western Michigan Broncos are coming off a 9-4 season, which included a 6-2 mark in league play. Do the Broncos have what it takes to best these numbers and contend for a MAC title in 2009? Get my take in this 2009 NCAA football betting preview. Bet the MAC at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

Offense – Senior signal caller Tim Hiller sat out the spring, but all indications are that he will be 100 percent this fall. Hiller has shown complete command of head coach Bill Cubit’s offense as demonstrated by his efficient numbers. Hiller exploded for 3,725 yards last season while completing nearly 61 percent of his pass attempts. He also connected on 36 touchdown strikes. But Hiller loses his two favorite targets in Jamarko Simmons and Schneider Julien. That means that Juan Nunez, who caught 57 balls for 701 yards and seven scores last season, will emerge as Hiller’s new No. 1 target. But others reliable options must be identified to keep defenses from keying on Nunez. Right now, the team will be looking for converted QB Robert Arnheim, junior Jordan White, redshirt freshman Seth Patterson, and sophomore Dervon Wallace to step up.

The team has to be excited about a rushing attack that was led by Brandon West and his 1,026 yards in 2008. His numbers break down to a 5.0 yards per carry average. The team may have to consider going to the ground even more this season if the receiving corps is not able to perform at the level it did a season ago. West will have the luxury of running behind an offensive line which returns five players who started at least eight games last season.

Defense - Western Michigan loses all but one starter on this side of the football so it’s plain to see which side will make or break them in 2009. The secondary was susceptible in the final two games of last season, but I expect it to be a strength this year behind junior strong safety Mario Armstrong and Miami (Florida) transfer Doug Wiggins. Senior strong side linebacker Austin Pritchard leads defensive coordinator Steve Morrison’s linebacker unit and is the lone returning starters I was referring to. He has a great nose for the football. He will have his hands full, though, as Harrison Porter, who started five games at linebacker last season, is no longer with the squad. That means this unit will be young and that puts the pressure on sophomore Mitch Zajac to come through at the middle linebacker spot.

The Broncos must mount a formidable pass rush in 2009 against the potent spread teams in the MAC. That starts with defensive end Justin Braska building off of his seven sack season.

Prediction: 2nd MAC West – It’s hard to think the offense won’t be a juggernaut with skill players like Hiller and West, but the defense is a big question mark with only one returning starter. Right now it looks like Central Michigan, which returns 10 starters on defense, is the team to beat in the MAC. Take advantage of our 20% cash sign up bonus at Bookmaker!

Jimmy Boyd’s college football picks will be picking football spreads apart all season long.

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