College Football: Predicting every undefeated teams first loss
By Carly Regehr
6. Western Michigan Broncos
W-L Record: 7-0
Remaining Schedule: at Ball State, at Kent State, Buffalo, Toledo
They will fall victim to…
Toledo on Nov. 25
Currently occupying the No. 20 spot in the AP Poll, Western Michigan is this year’s Cinderella story. They’re slaughtering opponents with their offense. P.J. Fleck is doing his thing at the helm. And, most importantly, they’re (surprisingly) better than Michigan State.
Yes, there’s very little MACtion to talk about, but Western Michigan deserves a standing ovation. Come Thanksgiving, this team has a lot to be thankful for. QB Zach Terrell has turned the ball over just once in 151 pass attempts. He’s also completed 72-percent of said passes for 1,995 yards and 20 touchdowns. What’s not to like about Western Michigan?
Oh, and there’s also those two horses in the backfield, Jarvion Franklin, and Jamauri Bogan. Together, they’ve amassed 1,477 yards and 14 touchdowns. If that’s not enough to salivate at, CB Darius Phillips is also making noise. The junior has caught two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. There’s no reason for Western Michigan to have a single loss this season, right?
Well, there is one problem along Lake Erie in Ohio. And that, my friends, is the Toledo Rockets.
Their 2016 campaign is headed by Jason Candle, who took the throne after ex-Toledo HC Matt Campbell (2015: 9-2) left. Candle’s doing quite well this season, too. He also has some above average company. Toledo QB Logan Woodside is torching the field, collecting 28 touchdowns on 2,277 yards passing. Joining him on offense are three co-stars, RB Kareem Hunt (740 yards, 5 TD), WR Cody Thompson (844 yards, 9 TD) and WR Michael Roberts (309 yards, 9 TD) of whom are lighting up the stat books.
Unlike Western Michigan, Toledo hardly surrenders any touchdowns on defense. With the exception of the games between BYU (6 rush TD) and Bowling Green St. (5 pass TD), Toledo’s defense has mastered the art of not allowing end zone trips. They also refuse to let opponents get first downs. To date, Toledo has kept opposing pass offenses to eight first downs. (Western Michigan has totaled 156 first downs by ways of passing.)
Scheduled in December on Western Michigan’s turf, this match-up features two high potent offenses. It’ll be a treat to watch, regardless of the outcome.