159 W. Michigan 6.5 (-110) Greek vs 160 NorthwesternAnalysis: A few select 7's available at a few shops with this one. I'll grab the +6.5 here though with confidence. When I look at both teams a few glaring things stick out... Northwestern opens up at home. That's always a tough pill to swallow for any team starting out on the road week 1. I feel we have some advantages though with the Broncos...Broncos bring back 4 year starter Zach Terrell...He was one of the best QB's in the MAC last year. I can only see improvement for him under coach PJ. Fleck (pictured)
Terrell Threw for 3,522 Yds and 26 TD's last year...Only threw 9 Int's and he might just surpass those numbers this year..He gets back his big target and sure fire NFL prospect in WR Corey Davis (pictured)
....Davis was a key cog in the Broncos offense last year...Broncos also get back 1,000 yd rusher Jamauri Bogan and RB Jarvion Franklin..Also a So. RB in LaVente Bellamy....The rushing attack will be just fine and they will be more experienced for sure...The O-Line should be fine as well...The Broncos starting offense will bring back 9 starters from last year..The key loss IMO is WR Braverman..He was the spark plug for this team and he will be missed..From what I have read the Broncos are high on a few of the younger guys though..WR Micheal Henry and Carrington Thompson are being asked to step up now with Braverman's departure to the NFL...This offense will be just fine and I expect them right at the top in the MAC...Taking on the Wildcats will be a challenge for sure..My concern for the Wildcats is on both sides of the ball...Losing defensive studs in Lowry and VanHoose won't help at all...The Wildcat defense brings back a total of 5 starters from that defense last year...That defense was very good as they only allowed 18ppg...I see a regression here trying to plug up holes that had been occupied by NFL caliber players in some spots...The Wildcat offense should be improved slightly however...How good will they be rides on the progress QB Clayton Thorson has made...I don't see much from him from a talent stand point...Again the Wildcats running game will dictate the flow of every game..A slow grinding offense limited with play makers...RB Justin Jackson is very good and might even pick up a few awards..I'm rather certain he rushes for well over a 1,000 yards this year. Perhaps he even makes a Heisman watch with how much work he will have this year...The WR core is average at best and Thornson will need to make them better..I just can't see this Wildcat offense getting over the 20ppg mark..This team IMO regresses and it will be severe. Last year they won 10 games and I would assume coming from the Big 10 they are over-valued to start the year against a lesser MAC team..I just don't see the big difference here making them a 6.5 to 7 pt favorite....Broncos defense should be well and good here to defend the Wildcats IMO...Broncos will return 6 players on defense and some of them are very good. Limiting the Wildcats here doesn't seem like a stretch...WMU was very good last year playing in tight games..Most of the games they played they kept close with the offense..I expect that again for this game..Crowd will be intense here, but overall I think PJ Fleck and this team is primed for an opening day upset. Broncos offense will be tough to stop with a depleted Wildcats defense...Broncos hang around all game and cover the spread..One thing I love about WMU and Fleck is how they play as a team...Row The Boat !!