A lot of people seem to feel their enjoyment of the games can be enhanced by possessing some extra knowledge about the Buckeyes' upcoming opponents. With that in mind, here is some basic information regarding the Western Michigan Broncos.
The WMU defense is a base 4-3 - not terribly different from Ohio State's. There's a big difference in size, however. Their biggest defensive starter, nose tackle, David Curle, is listed at "only" 6'1"-262 lbs*. In fact, The Broncos' starting defensive line averages only 6'2"-235lbs.
Obviously, there will be an enormous discrepancy in size between the WMU defensive front and Ohio State's "Slobs" - who average over 300lbs a man. Even the Buckeyes' tight end, Nick Vannett, comes in a couple of inches taller and at least ten pounds heavier than most of the Broncos' defensive linemen.
Western Michigan - like many teams Ohio State faces will have to take some risks in order to offset some of that disadvantage. Expect to see eight men in the "box" frequently.
However, The Broncos are unlikely to go to the infamous "odd front" that has given the Buckeyes fits recently. They simply don't have the imposing, nose tackle necessary to create the kind disruption in the middle of the line that sort of scheme requires in order to be effective.
The Western Michigan linebackers are also somewhat undersized by Ohio State's standards. Starting middle linebacker, Grant DePalma, is built more like Louie DePalma than a B1G linebacker at 5'9"- 218. His "back-up", rs Junior, Jayson Sylva, actually has more tackles, though. He's listed at 6'3"- 245.
The Broncos have a good looking rs sophomore coming on at the weak side linebacker spot with 5'11"-221lb, Caleb Bailey.
The defensive backfield is probably the strength of the Western Michigan defense. Four of the Broncos' top seven tacklers play in the secondary. They're also not as undersized in relation to Ohio State as the other position groups. Both starting safeties are six feet tall.
As impressive as Western Michigan's passing attack is offensively. They are not particularly good defensively. The Broncos rank 97th nationally in total defense. As a team, they have totaled only one interception, one fumble recovery and one sack over their first three games.
What' worse is that two of those three games were to Georgia Southern and Murray State (an FCS school). It would be good to keep in mind, however, that they held Michigan State to 37 points.
Western Michigan is weaker against the run (giving up 224 ypg) than they are against the pass (189 ypg). That should suit the Buckeyes just fine.
It doesn't look like the Broncos' defense matches-up with Ohio State's offense well at all. OSU is bigger across the board - and probably a little faster, too. If the Buckeye offense can clean-up the mistakes even just a little bit, this could be a high-scoring affair -
http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/western-michigan/92522
