25 Questions that are 7th

What is their body of work?

Six years ago, they were right where we are.  They were 1-11 in the first season of PJ Fleck.  Since then they played in the Cotton Bowl and have not had a losing season.  The Broncos have beaten BG in five of their last six meetings, with the only loss being in 2015 Babers title year.  The defeat last year was the last game of Mike Jinks.  This year, WMU is 4-4 and 2-2 in the MAC.  The West is wide open, but they can't lose again (probably).

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 29, which is a very experienced team.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

Keith Mixon is #4 in combined kick returns, #5 in kickoff returns
Jon Wassink is #8 in kickoff returns,
Giovanni Ricci is #20 in receiving TDs
Levante Bellamy is #4 in rushing TDs, #13 in rushing yards per game and #8 in scoring
Treshaun Howard is #5 in tackles

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are +4.

Offense:

How is their QB play? (MAC Only, from here on)

Wassink probably started the year as one of the top QBs, but he hasn't had a great season.  He's #7 in pass efficiency.  He's only completed 57%, had 4 INT but he's only the only QB to have played 4 MAC games.  He throws for 12 yards per completion, which is below average.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They have been a good but not great offensive team...they score 30 a game, which is 5th, and 5.6 yards per play, which is 7th (and tied with BG).

Can they run the ball?

They are OK.  At 4.5 yards per carry, they are in the middle of the MAC, but that probably understates it a little.  Bellamy scores a lot and averaged 5.8 yards per carry and Sean Tyler averages 7.1.  Wassink is bringing the numbers down, partly with sacks.

Do they pass the ball?

They are OK, but not great.  They have a set of solid receivers.

How is their run/pass balance?

This is a slightly run-oriented team, at 52% of plays. (all games)

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are pretty good at 43%, which is #5 in the MAC.

Do they score in the red zone?

They average 5.9 points per trip, which is average (all games)

Do they protect the quarterback?

They do protect well, giving up sacks on 5.1% of pass plays.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are 5th in scoring defense at 24 per game and 7th in yards per play allowed at 5.8.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They are average in the MAC, 7th at 4.0 per carry

Can they be passed on?

They are 7th in pass efficiency defense.  They allow 69% completions (only team to allow higher is BG).  However, they only allow 11 per completion and have allowed 6 TDs balanced by 6 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They allow 42% which is 6th

Do they defend in the red zone? (all games)

They are very good, allowing 4.5 per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

They go...they get sacks on 9.2% of passing attempts.

Young Tim Lester

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are 10th in net punting.

Punt Return?

They have 4 returns for 24 yards, so nothing great.

Placekicking? (all games)

Their kicker is 7 of 10, with a long of 45 and one block.  He is 6-7 inside 40.

Kickoff?

Opponents start on the 25.

Kickoff Return? (all games)

They start on the 28 which is good and Mixon averages over 30 per return with a 65 long.  BG needs to make sure to cover here.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Things don't get any easier for BG.  They are 24 point dogs.  They were undermanned to start with and have significant injury issues coming into the week.  Maybe guys can go, but in the meantime, it could be difficult.  As your running game gets banged up, then teams can key on Loy.  They are already keying on Morris.  On the other hand, WMU is an OK team, but certainly not setting the world on fire.  This would be a big upset if the Falcons pull it off.