Western Michigan Broncos: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Western Michigan Broncos: Key To The 2022 Offense
Keep the downfield playmaking going.
The running game will be great. The Broncos have the running backs, and they have the line that should be able to rise up and pave the way to another big season. However, without QB Kaleb Eleby and playmaking WR Skyy Moore around, the attack has to prove it can bomb away like it did late in the season.
WMU averaged close to nine yards per pass on the year, but it averaged close to 11 yards a throw over the last seven games. The chances will be there, and the new parts have to take advantage of them.
Western Michigan Broncos: Key To The 2022 Defense
Get the run defense working against the better teams.
There wasn’t a problem against all the offenses on the schedule that couldn’t or didn’t run, but when teams focused on powering away on the Broncos, it usually worked.
The 335 yards given up to Michigan was an outlier, and allowing almost ten yards to Northern Illinois didn’t matter in the win, but Eastern Michigan was able to steadily grind it out in the upset win, and Toledo ran 43 times and was able to take control of the game in its victory.
There was a problem whenever the D allowed 4.4 yards per carry or more. It has to start fast with Michigan State to kick off the season.
Western Michigan Broncos: Key Player To The 2022 Season
QB Jake Salopek, RFr.
Or Mareyohn Hrabowski, or Stone Hollenbach. Someone has to rise up and replace the production of Kaleb Eleby, who produced one of the better under-the-radar seasons of any quarterback in 2021.
The 6-1, 185-pound Salopek has the slight lead going into fall camp after being the main backup last year, but it’s still an open gig. He’s a pro style passer who can push the ball all over the field, but he’s not that big and he’s not a top runner.
On the plus side, if he can prove he can handle the job, it’s his for the next few years and can grow into the role.
Western Michigan Broncos: Key Transfer
OT Eleasah Anderson. Jr.
The offensive line that was so strong last season needed a few replacements. It got a big one in the 6-4, 345-pound Anderson, who started out his career at Baylor before moving over to Sam Houston State over the last three seasons. An all-star for two years at left tackle, now he’ll likely step in and be the anchor at the same spot for the Broncos.
Western Michigan Key Game To The 2022 Season
at Ball State, Sept. 10
Call this the exorcising the demons game.
Western Michigan was rolling right along. It lost to Michigan to start the season, won four straight, and then … boom. Ball State bombed away for 310 yards and four scores in a 45-20 win.
This time around, it’s a road game to kickoff the MAC season with the next away date not until late October. Win this, and with – on the conference slate – Eastern Michigan and Ohio coming up, there’s a shot at a great start before dealing with a rough finishing kick.
Western Michigan Broncos: 2021 Fun Stats
– 1st Quarter Scoring: WMU 114 – Opponents 54
– Time of Possession: WMU 35:17 – Opponents 24:12
– 3rd Down Conversions: WMU 83-of-180 (46%) – Opponents 41-of-153 (27%)
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Western Michigan Top 10 Players | WMU Schedule