WMU Broncos Are Ranked Nationally For The First Time Ever [Video]

Coach P. J. Fleck's 'Row The Boat' mantra has worked wonders for the Western Michigan football team, who have achieved their first national ranking, landing at number 24 in this week's poll.

So what could happen if the Broncos go undefeated? Could they possibly figure into the National Championship equation?

The Broncos bested MAC West Division rival Northern Illinois 45-30 on Saturday, running thier record to 6-0. They earned the 24th spot in the more widely regarded Associated Press top 25, a week after landing in the USA Today's top 25. The Broncos are 23rd in this week's USA Today poll, which is sponsored by Amway. Both polls are considered when weighing team's for the national championship playoffs.

The team even garnered a mention in the Washington Post for their spotless record, and for this amazing catch by Bronco wide receiver and Heisman Trophy candidate Corey Davis.

The great thing about Western making it this far without a loss is that the toughest part of their schedule is behind them. The Broncos have already defeated two Big Ten opponents and arch rival Central Michigan.

The toughest games remaining will be with an improved Eastern Michigan team on October 22, and the season finale against Toledo on November 25, a game which most likely will decide the MAC West title. Both those games will be on the Bronco's home field at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo.

Then, the Broncos would have to win the Mid American Conference title game at Ford Field in Detroit against probably Akron or Ohio from the East Division. They would match up well against either team.

So the idea is not far fetched that the Broncos can go through the season unscathed at 12-0, and what would that mean for the team? While the MId American Conference is not considered a Power Five Conference, there is some precedent.

In 2012 Northern Illinois went undefeated in Conference play, and wound up finshing 15th in the final Bowl Championship Series poll, which earned them a spot in the Orange Bowl, the first Mid American team to earn a major bowl bid. they lost 31-10 to Florida State.

It is very conceivable, that if the Broncos can win out, they will be ranked in the top 15 and could earn a major bowl bid.

P. J. Fleck, the team's head coach has stated that it's his goal to have Western Michigan in the national title picture, this could be that year.

“I mean who’s going to stop us?” Earnest Carter, a freshman on the team told Fox 17. “Who’s going stop us? We don’t have any competition left. We knocked out two Big 10s already and you know all the other teams are just beneath us I believe.”