Michigan Football: 3 things you need to know about Western Michigan

A Western Michigan game will feature a lot of chunk plays

I mentioned that Kaleb Eleby has a big arm and he does not mind showing it off. Eleby completed at least one pass of 50 yards in every game last year and led the country in yards per attempt at 11.2. That was partly aided by having an elite deep threat like Eskridge who averaged 23.1 yards per catch. However, Jaylen Hall averaged 26.9 yards per catch and Skyy Moore averaged 15.5. Incoming grad transfer Bryce Nunnelly averaged 14.75 yards per catch in four seasons at UT-Chattanooga.

The Broncos generate more explosive plays in the passing game, however, LaDarius Jefferson had three runs over 20 yards.

As many big plays as the Broncos generate, they give up nearly as many. In their game against Central Michigan alone, they gave up touchdown runs of 65 and 69 yards.

The Broncos also gave up passes of 30 and 39 yards to CMU. Toledo hit passes for 35 and 55 yards along with runs of 28 and 33 yards.

In total, the Broncos allowed 31 explosive plays in six games. Explosive plays are defined as runs over 12 yards and passes over 15 yards. It is important to track because teams that win the explosive play battle win 86% of the time.

I expect that Western Michigan will hit a few explosive plays against Michigan. However, Michigan football should have no problem generating more explosive plays. The Wolverines have no shortage of weapons that can generate big plays in both the running and passing game.