A season ago, Alex Carder came into the 2012 campaign as the clear cut starter under center for Western Michigan football.  The same is true heading into the 2013 season as Tyler Van Tubbergen looks to lead the Broncos into his fifth-year.

This year could have looked much different heading into camp had Carder not gone down with an injury against Connecticut.  That resulted in TVT getting the opportunity to start nearly every conference game as a redshirt junior, build a rhythm with the wide receivers and have his "coming of age" moment.

TVT started six games in 2012, finishing that run with three-straight 300-yard performances and orchestrated a comeback in Mount Pleasant that saw the Holland, Mich., native go 10-for-10 for 179 yards and three passing TDs to bring WMU back for the victory.

The events of 2012 show any program that having a list of able quarterbacks is paramount to sustain success.  Zach Terrell has worked most of camp with the second team offense and would be the back up if the season started today.

Behind TVT and Terrell are Zack Wynn, Jason Meichtry and true freshman Cameron Thomas.  Besides work as the holder on field goals and PATs, Wynn and Meichtry have worked sparingly under center, while Terrell and Thomas are yet to take a snap in college competition, but that is what preseason camp is all about.

Every one of the quarterbacks on the roster continues to make strides in offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca's offense.  Each one would be ready to take over if the person ahead of them on the depth chart went down.

This season, it doesn't look as though the quarterbacks will be asked to throw the ball in the area of 50 times per game.  There will likely be a more balanced attack, but having the QB with the ability to do so makes this team very dangerous week in and week out.