Western Michigan Broncos:
Lance Taylor took over here in Kalamazoo last year as a first-time head coach after a stint as offensive coordinator at Louisville. He is having to replace both coordinators in his second season as offensive coordinator Billy Cosh takes over as head coach at Stony Brook and defensive coordinator Lou Esposito is now the DL coach at Michigan. Walt Bell has had numerous offensive coordinator stints but was fired at Indiana five weeks into last season. Scott Power was let go at Louisiana Tech last year but comes to Western Michigan in the same role. The Broncos do return 17 starters, and many are pointing to this club as the sleeper in the MAC this season.
Offense
Quarterback Hayden Wolff will be the starter as a fifth-year senior. Wolff, who played three years at Old Dominion before coming to Western Michigan last year, started the final five games (1505 yards, 65.5% completions, 8 TD passes).
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MAC Freshman of the Year Jalen Buckley ran for just over 1,000 yards in his first campaign. He will likely be part of a 1-2 punch with Keishawn King, formerly at Virginia Tech, who missed eight games last season. They will run behind a line returning three starters including 1st Team All-MAC C Jacob Gideon.
At wide receiver, three of the top four pass catchers are back including Kenneth Womack, whose 76 receptions led the MAC. Also returning are Anthony Sambucci who had a team-high five touchdowns. In addition, transfers Devaughn “Bugs” Mortimer (UL Monroe) and Jordin Parker (New Mexico State) add speed to the position.
Defense
Of the 15 players that played 250 or more snaps last season, 12 return but are back for a unit that was 10th overall in a 12-team MAC. Up front, three of four defensive line starters return plus transfers Popeye Williams (Louisville) and Anterio Thompson (Iowa) will contribute immediately.
Former Purdue transfer Jacob Wahlberg leads the linebacker corps after making 65 tackles a year ago. Former Minnesota transfer Donald Willis (40 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Damari Roberson (68 tackles) also return.
Tate Hallock, a former Michigan State transfer, led the team in tackles with 75. Free safety Aaron Wofford was just behind with 71. The corner jobs remain up for grabs heading to fall camp.
Outlook
Western Michigan’s schedule starts out about as difficult as can be with road trips to Wisconsin and Ohio State in the first two weeks. However, they get a break in the conference slate without having to play Miami (OH) or Toledo. The turnover is more on the coaching staff than on the actual player roster. Both coordinators were fired at their previous gigs, so they are surely even more motivated and have something to prove. Plus, this group returns the most starters in a conference where transfer portal roster turnover, particularly on the departures side, is the new normal.
Pick: Over 6.5 Wins
