Western Michigan
Broncos

This is an easy spot for players to cave in to disappointment.

But Broncos coach Bill Cubit is convinced his team is going to play its final two games as if everything is within reach.

"For what it's worth, 6-6 is bowl eligible," Cubit told the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette. "That's what we want to get to."

A break-even record could be good enough to continue the season another month. MAC member Northern Illinois was invited to the Independence Bowl last season with a 6-6 record when that game's final slot couldn't be filled.

So it's possible, but this team wanted more out of this season.

"We're at a crossroads again," wide receiver Jordan White said. "What do we want out of ourselves? The coaches can only do so much. There comes a time where we've got to put the responsibility on ourselves and go out there and execute the game plan they are giving us."

--TB Brandon West broke the NCAA FBS record for career kick return yards against the Spartans. He broke the mark in the first quarter on a 38-yard runback. West has 2,978 career yards, moving past the record of 2,945 by Jessie Henderson of SMU.

SERIES HISTORY: Western Michigan 27-15 (the Broncos won 31-10 last season)

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Slow starts on offense have marked Western Michigan's play several times this season. The Broncos never got untracked in their 49-14 loss Nov. 7 at Michigan State. The Broncos managed only 36 yards of offense in the first half as they fell behind 35-0 at halftime.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Western Michigan's play on third down has been befuddling this season. The Broncos gave up 10-of-14 third-down conversions Oct. 31 in their loss to Kent State. The most damaging was a third-and-15 play in the fourth quarter that helped the Golden Flashes score their game-clinching touchdown. The Broncos excelled on third down against Michigan State on Nov. 7. The Spartans converted only 3-of-12 third downs against the Broncos.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You go out with your best people. What we have been doing is, at the end of practice, helping our young kids that are redshirting (by working with them). At game time, it's putting the best guys out there and trying to win a game." -- WMU coach Bill Cubit on why his team will remain focused on this year in its final two games instead of starting to build for 2010.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Tim Hiller suffered one of his poorest performances of the year in a 49-14 loss Nov. 7 at Michigan State. He completed only 15-of-37 passes for 111 yards. Hiller threw a TD pass to run his career total to 94.

LB Mitch Zajac has improved his play in recent games, and left an impression on fans in his hometown when the Broncos lost at Michigan State. Zajac led Western Michigan with eight tackles, including three for loss.

TB Glenis Thompson received more reps in practice last week and more opportunities to run the ball in the first half against Michigan State than starter Brandon West. West ultimately had 98 yards on seven carries in the game, but Thompson could figure more strongly into the Broncos' plans in the final two games of the season.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Western Michigan committed three personal foul penalties that helped Michigan State score 14 points early in the game on Nov. 7. First, LB Mitch Zajac was penalized for a late hit and it helped the Spartans to a touchdown instead of settling for a field goal. Two possessions later, DT Cody Cielenski and LB Paul Hazel were flagged for roughing penalties to extend a drive that led to a TD and a 21-0 Michigan State cushion.

--Backup TB Glenis Thompson received more playing time than usual after a better week of practice than starter Brandon West. Thompson had three of the Broncos' five rushing attempts in the first half against Michigan State. "I think both those kids deserve to play, and I think Glenis has done really a nice job," coach Bill Cubit said.

--QB Tim Hiller tossed his 94th career touchdown pass against the Spartans. He is six shy of the Mid-American Conference record with two games remaining in his career.