Coach Bill Cubit is now beginning the 8th year here in Western Michigan and he came away unsatisfied with his 2011 year, completing the year with a 7-6 record that encompassed a 32-37 loss to Purdue in the Little Caesars Bowl. Four of the 6 losses Western Michigan had were at five points or fewer so Cubit is still coming into 2012 with a lot of expectations.
Cubit has assembled a 47-39 mark in his first seven years here, and he’s yet to win an MAC championship in that time frame. His 2012 team may be the team to bring him to the Promised Land as he has 14 starters returning, and a lot of skill. If you want more info on other teams in the league visit our site.
Offense
Western Michigan featured an explosive offense last year. The Broncos put up a very powerful 35.3 points and 458 total yards/game last year. This offense is prepared to put even better numbers in 2012 as they bring back seven starters including the top quarterback in the MAC.
Second-team All-MAC QB Alex Carder returns for his senior season. He had a magical season last year putting up mad numbers completing 65.7% of his throws for 3,873 yards with 31 scores and 14 interceptions. Carder also surged for 270 yards and 4 scores. 2012 might be a better year for him and he is in line to have even more accolades in his already exalted college career.
The Broncos return their top two ball carriers in junior RB Tevin Drake and junior RB Brian Fields. These 2 figure to get the bulk of the carries in this pass-happy offense. It's as though Drake will have the better season though.
Their huge question mark on offense is at pass catcher, as they lose their top 3 receivers from last year. First-team All-American Jordan White is an essential commodity the Broncos will really miss. Senior WR Eric Monette and junior WR Josh Schaffer wants to step up as they may each have to take much larger roles in 2012.
Cubit looks to have the best offensive line in his tenure in 2012. That’s because they have four starters and 68 career starts coming back up front. That includes first-team All-MAC RT Dan O’Neill, junior LT Terry Davisson, senior LG Kasimili Uitalia and senior C Kevin Galeher.
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Defense
The defense should only improve in 2012 following a upsetting year on this side of the ball last year. They gave up 28.7 points and 435 total yards/game last year. They have seven starters coming back though, so it's as though things may be looking up.
One huge loss is DT Drew Nowak, who was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year last year. However , the defensive line brings back 6 of their top eight, and will be improved. Senior DE Paul Hazel, junior DT Travonte Boles and senior DE Freddie Bishop are all returning starters.
The linebacker corps loses 2 tackler Mitch Zajac, but bring back 4 of its top 6 players. They have 1 tackler Johnnie Simon back and he's going to have senior DE Paul Hazel, junior DT Travonte Boles and senior DE Freddie Bishop rounding up the unit.
Western Michigan welcomes back 6 of their best eight defensive backs in their secondary this season, but the 2 players they don’t bring back are good ones in Aaron Winchester and Doug Wiggins. They have 49 career starts returning, so they ought to be fine overall. The finest players coming back from this unit are kids CB Lewis Toler and SS Demetrius Pettway. Sophomores CB Donald Celiscar and FS Rontavious Atkins are also coming back.
MAC West Prediction – 1st Place
Western Michigan looks to be the class of the MAC West as they have the most talent returning in the whole conference. They are facing both Northern Illinois and Toledo at home, and they do not face powerhouses Ohio, Miami-Ohio and Bowling Green, which are the three top teams in the East. The talent coming back, coupled with the relatively simple schedule, will have Western Michigan playing in the MAC title game this season.
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