BroncoBlitz.com - Who has the edge: WMU vs CMU

October 15, 2009

D. Burgardt
Special to BroncoBlitz.com

Once again the game that Bronco and Chip fans salivate over has finally arrived, and once again it is a game that could determine the MAC West outcome.

The Weather Channel predicts great football weather for Saturday with temperatures in the mid 50's. Western Michigan ticket manager Don Beyer predicts a crowd in the 25k range, and that could be a determining factor. If the Broncos execute, emotion could be the thing that puts them over the top.

On paper these two teams look very close. While one team or another has an edge, we don't determine how big that edge may be. I think CMU has an enormous edge against the WMU DB's. CMU's receivers have experience and exceptional talent, and the guy delivering the ball seems to always get it done. The Tim Tebow of the Midwest may be too much for this young defense.

Prediction Central Michigan 38 Western Michigan 24

Western Michigan Broncos	EDGE	Central Michigan
SECONDARY		PASSING ATTACK
The Broncos lost a load last year in the secondary, but this group has shown it has talent. It has also shown its youth with some costly breakdowns in coverage. This will be the best combo of QB's and WR"S they've played all year. Vernon Stewart has added depth to a deep group of DB's		If Dan Lefevour and his fleet feet weren't enough, you still have to contend with a mini-Greg Jennings in Antonio Brown, and a big target in Bryan Anderson. Plain and simple you cannot stop them from scoring, so you have to outscore them.
LINEBACKERS		GROUND ATTACK
Led by Austin Pritchard the WMU linebackers have played solid at times, and not so much at other times. Woody Legreir has the potential to give CMU problems, but he needs consistency. Staying home and corralling Lefevour will be more important than stopping any CMU RB.		The CMU ground attack does not start in the backfield. It starts first with QB Dan LeFevour. LeFevour is a 3rd and long nightmare for defenses. Second you have Antonio Brown. While not a running back the ball often ends up in his hands in the backfield, where he can turn nothing into something big. As for the CMU running backs, none have surfaces as Brandon West type threats
DEFENSIVE LINE		OFFENSIVE LINE
Led by Cody Ceilinski the Bronco D-line has shown improvement and has held their own. There is still no big time rush off the corner, although Paul Hazel is starting emerge in that role. Getting pressure on LeFevour is not easy. If Ceilinski can keep him in the cross hairs it could be a good day for WMU		With the exception of Collin Miller, the CMU O-line is a work in progress. Fortunately for them, the short routes in the Spread don't require great pass protection, and LeFevour's best runs often come when the pocket is pressured. Not one of the Chips better O-lines, but it might not matter in this offense.
PASSING ATTACK		SECONDARY
This may be the key to winning this game. Everyone knows what Tim Hiller can do, but they don't know a lot about the Bronco wide outs. Jordan White and Juan Nunez are starting to blossom, and could be trouble for an untested CMU secondary. Ansel Ponder is starting to produce, and has the speed to take it to the house. Brandon West is the best all purpose back in the league and is one more target to worry about.		The last few years the Central Michigan's secondary has not been good, but recently that has changed as a veteran group has begun to gel. To date they have faces five straight rookie quarterbacks. Veteran Tim Hiller, and his ability to do several check downs on a pass play is something the Chip DB's haven't seen this year.
GROUND ATTACK		LINEBACKERS
The Broncos have depth and experience at running back. Brandon West is a multipurpose running back who can take a Hiller pass to the house or go for a 70 yard burst, as he did at Toledo. Glenis Thompson has shown himself to be a load as well, and is due for a breakout game. CMU linebackers and D-line have been solid. A ground attack is a must particularly in a close game. In every WMU win the Bronco backs have held on to the ball (knock on wood Bronco fans)		CMU is becoming Linebacker U of the MAC. Junior Nick Bellore has picked up where Red Keith left off. Tim Brazzel and Matt Berning are solid as well. The Broncos averaged 2 yards a carry last year in Mt. Pleasant. If WMU produces through the air Brandon West and Nick Bellore will meet regularly after big gains, if not the CMU linebackers will have the edge
OFFENSIVE LINE		DEFENSIVE LINE
The Bronco offensive line is everything a MAC coach would want. They're big, talented, and experienced. More important, they're healthy. Pass protection is job one. Job two is moving the ball on the ground, particularly in the red zone. On paper the Broncos should have the edge.		With a healthy Frank Zombo the arrow might be pointing the other way. Zombo did not play against EMU and is questionable for this game. Sean Murane is a solid fixture in the middle. The CMU front reminds me a lot of WMU's, with a mixture of experience and first year players. Potentially, the WMU O-line could have a big edge.
SPECIAL TEAMS		Kicking Game
Brandon West is averaging 25 yards per kick return and Jordan White is averaging 20.8 yards per punt. John Potter is 4-6 with a long of 40 yards, and is averaging 64 yards on kick offs. Ben Armer is averaging 39.6 yards per punt and is showing more consistency.		Antonio Brown is averaging 21 yards per punt return 20 yards per kick return. Andrew Aguila is 5-8 on field goals with a long of 49 yards and is averaging 59 yards per kick off. Brett Hartman is averaging 38 yards per punt with a long of 57 yards. Statistically, WMU has a small edge, but Antonio Brown's ability to take it to the house at any moment gives the Chips and edge.