2010 Game 1: Western Michigan Broncos

Game 1

Michigan State Spartans  vs.  Western Michigan Broncos

First things first, I thought WMU would have been better last year.  QB Tim Hiller with his rocket arm, was disappointed in their overall performance.  Last years preseason opinion as that they would contend with Central for the MAC championship… FAIL….

 This year they have a new QB at Soph Alex Carder. He has never started a game, and his very first formal field assignment is Spartan Stadium.  Note: Phili Steel has them picked to win the MAC West this year, Hmmm… maybe, but I doubt that, but maybe…

Game one is always a test to see how players have matured and what they have done to develop over the spring and summer.  The game against the Broncos will be a good initial test for the Spartans.  The Bronco are decent, not great, but not horrid either.  Spartans smoked’em last year: 49 - 14, and will probably do it again.

Bronco interesting 2009stats: allowed 24 sacks,  had 14 interceptions against Hiller, gave up rushing avg. of 187 per game, gave up avg. of 240 yrds passing per game….

I like to call a spade a spade… Though the Bronco “D”  sucked last year, they will be better.   Frankly the Spartan secondary was bad as well, but not as bad as the Broncos…   This year  WMU  bring back several starter with Senior SS Jamil Berry, LB Legrier and DBs Wiggins and Armstrong,   CB Damond Smith.   They do have some talent, gotta get a better right ? So, bringing back starters is a good thing for them,  right ?? 

But the Spartan Offense  counters with Caper, Baker, and the newest stud Bell, behind a mean green “O” line which  has experience.   All line men played last year and return.  Add in the new improved 2K10 Kirk Cousins who will be slinging his air show with the Big Ten’s most talented receiving corps..  I think Buster Bronco will be over matched with the Spartan athleticism and skill sets for receptions and rushing. 

The WMU “O” line has a Rich Rod defector in Dann O’Neill, plus all 4 starters back. O’Neill plus the returning line will give the rookie QB needed time..  This should be good enough to get more points against MAC schools, but don’t think so against the upper ranks of the Big Ten.  Although most Rich Rod defectors have been very successful… And I think that this is no exception.

With Carder taking over for Hiller (who was just cut from the Colts) they have got inexperience calling the plays..But, to add insult to injury, their backs are diminutive..  the starting back Winchester is a giant at 5’6”…  Can you say "Squish"....

Not  wanting  to disparage my directional school brethren, even though the Broncos will put up a fight, they will be BIG losers on Saturday…

Just like Bill Cutbit said in 2009:  "They (Spartans) are better than us... "

 

SpartyMSU fansite  Prediction:

MSU    42  (won’t be more since Dantonio is a gentleman and a good sport)

WMU    17

Sparty On !!