First game this year where we have some actual apples-to-apples comparison. The Broncos have played Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Bethune Cookman. Very similar SOS vs. what we've played.
You'll recognize their QB - he was ODUs QB in '22 when we beat them in the 12-0 barnburner down at Norfolk.
Head Coach Lance Taylor was Notre Dame's RB Coach from 2019-2021 and then Louisville's OC in '22 under Scott Satterfield.
The new OC is Walt Bell - who was OC at Indiana last year. The new DC is Scott Power - who was the DC at LA Tech the past two seasons.
They were picked to finish last in the MAC West last year and finished last. They were picked to finished 7th this year (no more Divisions in the MAC).
They return their top QB, top 2 rushers, top receiver, 8 of their top 10 OL, their 4 leading tacklers and their entire secondary. Altogether, 17 returning starters plus several key backups. According to Phil Steele's Returning Experience Chart, they are the
12th most experienced team in the country coming into the season using returning production and OL starts.
I expect a good game Saturday afternoon against a team that would very much fit in with some of the teams we play this year, i.e., Georgia Southern, Georgia State, ODU.
| Marshall (1-2) | Western Michigan (1-2) |
PPG | 24.3 (97th) | 24.3 (97th) |
Points Allowed | 27.7 (92nd) | 38.3 (128th) |
Total Offense | 363.7 (91st) | 345.7 (101st) |
Rush Offense | 177.0 (54th) | 173.3 (58th) |
Pass Offense | 186.7 (101st) | 172.3 (109th) |
Offensive Pass Effic | 126.46 (95th) | 153.32 (44th) |
3rd Down Offense | 37.0% (88th) | 29.0% (122nd) |
Total Defense | 386.3 (88th) | 442.0 (121st) |
Rush Defense | 194.0 (110th) | 202.7 (115th) |
Pass Defense | 192.3 (58th) | 239.3 (95th) |
Defensive Pass Effic | 130.46 (76th) | 146.32 (106th) |
3rd Down Defense | 33.3% (42nd) | 39.0% (81st) |
Turnover Margin Per Game | +0.67 (44th) | -0.67 (99th) |
Penalty Yards Per Game | 40.0 (22nd) | 30.0 (8th) |
Net Punting | 33.5 (127th) | 42.4 (20th) |