Last season was Western Michigan’s first under head coach Lance Taylor. It was also WMU’s worst since 2013.
The Broncos finished 4-8 and just 1-6 on the road. WMU sat at 4-6 with a shot at a bowl game but dropped its final two contests to Northern Illinois and Bowling Green, being outscored 58-10.
But it’s a new year, and Taylor’s squad has a chance to bounce back.
The new season also brings two new coordinators for WMU. Walt Bell steps in as the new offensive coordinator from Indiana, and Scott Power will serve as the new defensive coordinator after holding the same post at Louisiana Tech the past two years.
Despite a tough pair of games to open the season, the Broncos have a relatively easy schedule. This could open the window for them to be a sneaky contender in the MAC.
Western Michigan Football’s MAC Title Odds
Western Michigan’s odds to win the MAC are +550, via BetMGM.
Western Michigan Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
Western Michigan’s win total Over/Under is 6.5, with the Over at +105 and the Under at -135.
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Western Michigan Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 at Wisconsin
9/7 at Ohio State
9/14 vs Bethune-Cookman
9/28 at Marshall
10/5 at Ball State
10/12 vs Akron
10/19 at Buffalo
10/26 vs Kent State
11/6 vs Northern Illinois
11/12 at Bowling Green
11/19 at Central Michigan
11/30 vs Eastern Michigan
Bold indicates MAC contests
Key Western Michigan Football Returners
2023 All-MAC First Team
OL Jacob Gideon
WR Kenneth Womack
Third Team
OL Addison West
WR Anthony Sambucci
RB Jalen Buckley
Western Michigan Football Could Have The Best Offense In The MAC
I’d like to think when the Broncos scored a combined 10 points in their final two games of 2023, it wasn’t a preview of what to expect this fall. Instead, I think we’re more likely to see the same offense that averaged 41.5 points the two games prior. Not saying that WMU will score at a volume like that, but a potent offense is a strong possibility.
The Broncos ranked third in the league last year with 365 yards per game but averaged just 23.7 points per game. They return five all-conference players, all of which are on offense.
This includes first-team selections Jacob Gideon and Kenneth Womack. Gideon leads a very experienced bunch up front, and Womack’s 76 receptions were the most in the league by 20 while his 691 yards ranked second.
He will be even more impactful with Hayden Wolff slinging the ball to him for the entirety of the season. The redshirt senior took over as the starting quarterback midway through the year and was the third QB to get a chance to make things happen. He should be back as the starter after finishing 2023 with 1,505 yards and eight touchdowns.
What might be most exciting about this offense — and the team — is the return of running back and reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Jalen Buckley. He rushed for 1,003 yards and 10 scores last season and added 161 yards on 18 receptions. Buckley leads a deep RB room and has a quality backup in Zahir Abdus-Salaam. This is arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league.
Bell’s offense averaged just 22.2 points per game last year at Indiana, but of course Big Ten defenses are a different animal than what the Broncos will see. There are plenty of playmakers on this team, Bell just needs to get them the ball.
With the rest of the conference losing a lot of offensive firepower, WMU has a chance to be the most exciting team to watch on weeknight MACtion.
2024 Western Michigan Football Season Prediction
I believe Taylor will prove himself and the Broncos will be in control of their own destiny to make the MAC Championship once November rolls around.
WMU doesn’t have to face Miami (Ohio) or Toledo — the top two favorites to win the league. Not only that, but WMU has three bye weeks. There’s a very strong chance the Broncos are sitting at 4-0 in league play entering a critical two-week stretch against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. I’m convinced these two weeks will determine who represents the West Division in the MAC title game. WMU will get NIU at home off a bye before visiting BGSU. Again, these are the two teams that left a bad taste in WMU’s mouth entering the offseason, so I expect these games to be circled on the calendar.
A tilt with Central Michigan follows and can’t be overlooked, but I like WMU to handle business there against its rival in a close one.
The Broncos should be a contender in the MAC, especially because of their friendly conference schedule.
