Preview: Western Michigan Broncos

The Ohio State Buckeyes will look to settle an under-performing quarterback battle but mainly to improve their record to 4-0 this coming weekend when they take on Western Michigan. Here are the need-to-knows about the game:

When: Saturday, September 26 @ 3:30 pm

Where: Ohio Stadium. Columbus, Ohio

TV: ABC/ESPN2

Spread: Ohio State (-27)

The Western Michigan Broncos bring in a 1-2 record into Columbus in hopes of knocking off an uninspiring Ohio State Buckeyes team who is still struggling to find its starting quarterback.

This is something that Broncos head coach PJ Fleck will be looking to take advantage of in his game plan to stop the Buckeye offense. Interestingly, Fleck knows the Buckeyes well as he was a graduate assistant for OSU in 2006. Fleck played at Northern Illinois as a wide receiver, and he is currently 10-18 in his coaching career at Western Michigan. While earning 2014 MAC Coach of the Year, Fleck made some progress with an 8-5 record, but his team fell to Air Force in the bowl season, 38-24.

 

Players to Watch

Western Michigan’s aerial attack with star wide-outs Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman should be provide a good test for Buckeye corner-backs Eli Apple and Gareon Conley. Davis and Braverman recorded a combined 164 receptions, 2,405 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns last season. So far this season, they’re on pace to pass those markers. In the first three games, Davis has tallied 309 yards on 18 receptions with three schools, while Braverman has amassed 398 yards on 40 receptions and also three touchdowns.

The gunslinger for the Broncos is junior quarterback Zach Terrell who has thrown for 947 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season, six of them going to either Davis or Braverman.

For the good guys, it will be intriguing to see who Meyer starts at quarterback, but I would expect to see more of Braxton Miller who was only targeted two or three times in last week’s game against Northern Illinois. I would also keep an eye out for junior h-back and wide receiver Dontre Wilson to fully emerge as a true weapon in the midst of an offense with so many other weapons. Wilson made an impressive appearance, albeit a small one in last week’s game against the Huskies. He recorded three receptions for 20 yards, but he showed the quickness and speed that has been lacking from the offense thus far. Lastly, a true deep threat is still needed for “Zone 6” to replace last year’s Devin Smith, and I expect Johnnie Dixon to have a solid game at the receiver position this week.

 

Prediction

Western Michigan – 10 / Ohio State 52

This should (hopefully) be the week that the Buckeyes offense explodes and figures themselves out. Even though the starting quarterback is still unknown, I expect either one to get out of their slump. Meyer should correct the offensive struggles out with Warriner and Beck, and the results will be explosive and more reminiscent of the season opener against Virginia Tech.

The defense will remain solid despite giving up one touchdown to the Broncos’ passing attack, and the fans should be able to breathe a sigh of relief before the Buckeyes start their Big Ten Conference slate with Indiana the week after.

 

For those looking to break the game down with the opposition, you can check out the Broncos Stampede forum.

 

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