Writer's Bloc – Graham Couch

Welcome to the latest edition of Writer's Bloc.

This week, we have Graham Couch, the Western Michigan beat writer for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Graham was kind enough to answer a few questions on the Broncos as Western Michigan prepares to come to Northern Illinois for a 2:30 p.m. game on Saturday.

John Sahly: Tim Hiller is obviously the main threat for Western Michigan. How would you evaluate his senior season thus far?

Graham Couch: Hiller looked the best he has so far last week against Hofstra, looking like the QB that's a borderline NFL draft prospect and perhaps the best passer and decision-maker (not playmaker) among MAC quarterbacks. That said, he didn't get off to the start many had expected – though, in my opinion, much of that had to do with the fact he was coming off January knee surgery to repair a torn ACL. WMU's young wideouts are beginning to make plays, which wasn't happening early. That's part of the reason he struggled against Michigan and Indiana and has looked much better since.

The thing to remember about Hiller is that he does so much more than almost any other QB in college football in terms of decision making in a complex offense. While most QBs look to the sideline for audibles, Hiller is charged with making any checks and reads at the line of scrimmage and getting WMU into the right play. So, even when he doesn't look great, he's still doing more than most.

JS: What is the biggest concern at this point regarding the Broncos defense?

GC: Sophomore safety Doug Wiggins was suspended last week and may or may not be back. Wiggins is the most heralded player to land at WMU in the modern era –  a four- and five-star guy who started four games as a true freshman at Miami (Fla.). He forced two fumbles against Miami-Ohio. He provides the type of swagger and playmaking WMU needs on the road.

The other concern is that this group, though talented, is fairly young – at least in the roles they're in this year. They haven't had a ton of road success this year, only forcing one turnover in the two road games this year. DeKalb is not an easy place to play. That stadium is a hostile, wind-tunnel in "the middle of nowhere," as Louis Delmas called it two years ago (the Illinois plains aren't the favorite place for WMU's heavy Florida and Georgia contingent). It's always cold and windy when these teams play there. You'll find out a lot about WMU Saturday. But that's the concern, that there's still a lot to find out.

JS: If (WR) Juan Nunez (bruised knee) is unable to go, how much does that affect the WMU offense?

GC: Nunez is their best deep threat and forces defenses to respect the deep ball at all times. WMU will be fine on the underneath stuff and juco transfer Chleb (pronounced CA-leb) Ravenell is becoming someone who can beat you deep. Still, if Nunez can't go or isn't effective, it's a significant blow.

JS: Brandon West torched the Huskies the last time they played, what makes him a special back?

GC: His speed, versatility, ability to pass protect and, this year, beat you one-on-one. He's always been a very good back. This year, though, he's started winning one-on-one in the open field more. Other than some fumbling issues, this is the best I've seen him – which should be the case because he's a senior.

JS: How much has (linebacker) Austin Pritchard improved since last season?

GC: Hard to say. I thought Pritchard was pretty good as a sophomore before tearing his ACL. He's a good player, the leader of that defense and he's making the plays to back it up right now.

JS: Last thing, give us a prediction, (doesn't have to be the score) for Saturday.

GC: From the two games I've seen, this is a good NIU football team. They don't do a ton to trick you, but what they do, they do well, and they're a physical bunch. WMU hasn't proven itself to be a consistently physical football team. Right now, I think the Huskies get this one by at least a touchdown. If the weather is good, Hiller is brilliant, Nunez plays and Wiggins is back, maybe that changes.