Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
The Western Michigan Broncos have faced a brutal September schedule that featured three Big 10 opponents (Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa). The Broncos lost all three games and are sitting at 0-4 on the season. However, this weekend offers a fresh start as the Broncos will start their MAC season facing the Kent State Golden Flashes. Saturday’s game offers the Broncos the opportunity to forget about the past and gives them a fresh slate with the potential to start their season over.
Western Michigan has struggled offensively averaging 14 points per game. They are 92nd in the country in passing offense and 98th in the nation in rushing yards. The Broncos have not had solid offensive line play which has hindered quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen. Van Tubbergen has struggled to find open receivers and is completing 44.1 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and seven interceptions. Last week against Iowa, the Broncos converted 1-of-14 third downs. In order to change their fortunes against Kent State, the Broncos will need to be consistent and establish balance on offense. The Broncos have struggled with ball security as the team is -3 in turnover margin on the year. The Broncos will need to challenge a Golden Flash defense that has yielded 32.5 points per game. The Golden Flashes are allowing 211 rushing yards per game and 246 passing yards per game.
Western Michigan will be facing a Golden Flash offense that has been scoring 13 points per game (119th in the country). The Golden Flashes have struggled with the injury to star running back Dri Archer who hurt his ankle in the Golden Flashes’ first game of the year. The absence of Archer has put a lot of pressure on true freshman quarterback Colin Reardon to perform. Kent State is 103rd in the nation in passing and 108th in the nation in rushing.
This game is an evenly matched contest with the team that executes their game plan coming out with the victory.
Game time is set for 7:00 pm at Western Michigan.
Joseph Lisi is a MAC writer for www.Rantsports.com, follow him on Twitter @GoForthe2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
