Preview 2019: Previewing and looking ahead to the Eastern Michigan Eagles season with what you need to know.
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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Eastern Michigan Previews 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2018 Record: 7-6 overall, 5-3 in MAC
Head Coach: Chris Creighton, 5th year, 22-40
– CFN Preview 2019: All The Team Previews
5. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EASTERN MICHIGAN OFFENSE
– The offense didn’t run well enough, and it wasn’t explosive, but at least it was consistent, scoring 20 points or more in every game but one. The problem? The O only put more than 28 against one FBS team. Only seven starters are back, but there’s hope for the passing game because …
– Seven of the top eight receivers/tight ends return. Leading receiver Blake Banham is done, but Arthur Jackson is aback after coming up with 46 catches with five scores, and senior Mathew Sexton is a decent veteran. Throw in tight ends Gunnar Oakes and Gunnar Oakes, and the Eagles have options for …
– Mike Glass should be ready to be the main man at QB. The 6-0, 212-pound senior threw nine touchdown passes with a pick when it got got his shot in place of Tyler Wiegers, and he can run, too. Junior Isaac Stiebeling has good size and pro-style passing skills as the backup.
– The running game might not have been amazing, but again, Glass can run, and leading rusher Shaq Vann is back after running for 590 yards and five scores.
There’s speed with Willie Parker and depth with Breck Turner in the rotation, but they need the line to do its part. The tackle situation is fine with Sidy Sow and Steve Nielsen two huge veterans, but the entire starting interior has to be replaced.
NEXT: What You Need To Know About the Defense, Top Players, Keys to the Season, What Will Happen
4. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EASTERN MICHIGAN DEFENSE
– The defense that led the MAC in total and scoring D has to replace seven parts including the starts on the defensive front. The early departure of Maxx Crosby to the NFL stings, putting the pressure on junior Turan Rush and senior Clay Holford to step up on the outside and bring the pass rush. The beef is there in the interior with 6-3, 352-pound senior Ty Eddington and a good rotation around him.
– The top two tackling linebackers – Kyle Rachwal and Jaylen Pickett – are done after combining for 208 stops. It’s a thin group in the 4-2-5 with junior Terry Myrick looking to replace Pickett on the outside, and with a rotation early on – and help from the JUCO world – for the middle.
– The secondary will be the strength, starting with S Vince Calhoun coming off a strong 84-tackle season. He’s got the range at Rover, and Brady Hoying is a good 69-tackle veteran at another spot. Kevin McGill is coming off a three-pick season, bringing good size and experience at one corner.
NEXT: Top Players, Keys To the Season, What Will Happen
3. TOP EASTERN MICHIGAN PLAYERS
Best Eastern Michigan Offensive Player
QB Mike Glass, Sr.
The JUCO transfer came in and worked behind Tyler Wiegers for most of last season, but he was good when he got his chances, connecting on 62% of his throws with nine touchdowns and just one pick.
Best of all, he added mobility to the position, finishing second on the team with 412 rushing yards and six scores with two 100-yard days. The 6-0, 212-pounder is built like a running back, and he can move like one, but he’s a good enough midrange passer to rely on.
2. OT Steve Nielsen, Sr.
3. WR Arthur Jackson, Sr.
4. RB Shaq Vann, Sr.
5. WR Mathew Sexton, Sr.
Best Eastern Michigan Defensive Player
CB Kevin McGill, Sr.
With 6-2, 193-pound size, he’s a long corner who’s good at attacking the ball and provides a little pop. In a good secondary with potential all-stars in Vince Calhoun and Brody Hoying, McGill is the main man on the outside after tying for the team lead with three picks and 38 tackles. He could move to safety if needed.
2. S Vince Calhoun, Sr.
3. P Jake Julien, Jr.
4. S Brody Hoying, Sr.
5. DT Ty Eddington, Sr.
NEXT: Keys to the Season, Prediction & What Will Happen
2. KEYS TO THE SEASON
Biggest Key To The Eastern Michigan Offense
Start running better. The defense was so good last season that EMU could take care of the ball, not worry about keeping the chains moving, and not take any chances. However, when the ground game works, the team wins.
That’s where QB Mike Glass comes in – assuming he gets the starting job. He adds more to the ground game, and when he took off, good things happened. Last year, EMU was 3-0 when running for 200 yards or more, and 4-1 when averaging over four yards per carry – only losing in the bowl thriller to Georgia Southern. But it works in the reverse, too …
Biggest Key To The Eastern Michigan Defense
The run defense has to hold up, and it has to do it with five new parts in the front six. When the EMU running game worked, the O controlled the game. When the D didn’t hold up, there were problems.
The defense got eaten up for 200 yards or more six times on the season and allowed 4.6 yards per carry – the Eagles gave up that many yards just three times in 2017. The run D also allowed multiple touchdown runs in eight games, losing five of them. After leading the league in defense last season, the Eagles have to try to get better with a whole slew of new parts, which is why …
Key Player To A Successful Season
DT Ty Eddington, Sr.
Only one starter returns to the defensive front six, and he’s a big one. The 6-3, 352-pound senior only started three games after coming over from the JUCO ranks, but he held up well making 22 tackles with a tackle for loss. He’s not an interior pass rusher, but he’s a space-eater who has to be the rock for the rebuilding run defense.
Key Game To The Eastern Michigan Season
at Central Michigan, Oct. 5
Not only is it EMU’s MAC opener, but it comes at the end of a run of four road games in the first five. There’s a week off to get ready, and it’s just a few hours up the road, but it’s still going to be a tough game against an improved Chippewa team.
Lose, and with road games still to go against West stars Toledo and Northern Illinois, along with home games against Western Michigan and Buffalo, it might take some scrambling just to get bowl eligible.
– Eastern Michigan Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2018 Eastern Michigan Fun Stats
– 3rd Quarter Scoring: EMU 70 – Opponents 31
– Fumbles: Opponents 31 (lost 11) – EMU 19 (lost 10)
– Interceptions Thrown: Opponents 13 – EMU 4
NEXT: What Will Happen
1. EASTERN MICHIGAN WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN
There was a time not all that long ago when merely coming up with three wins would’ve been wonderful for Eastern Michigan.
The program went from 1996 to 2005 with just one season with more than four victories, and then came the pivot.
The Eagles have two winning seasons and two bowl appearances in the last three seasons, and now that’s where the bar is set. This year’s version might not be strong enough to win the MAC West, but considering what’s already in place, can head coach Chris Creighton just reload?
Set The Regular Season Win Total At … 6
The defensive front is a concern after so many key losses, and the offensive line needs new talent in the interior, but for the most part, there’s enough in place to at least shoot for a third bowl game in four seasons. By about 100 miles, that would make this already solid run the greatest stretch of campaigns the program has ever had since moving up to the FBS world.
The Eagles proved they could take down Purdue last season, but this year’s team isn’t quite good enough to win at Kentucky or Illinois. Going to Toledo and Northern Illinois will be issues, but that’s it – every other game is winnable.
It’ll be Eastern Michigan. It’ll scratch, claw, and keep most games close, but it’ll take a win over Kent State in the regular season finale to get bowl eligible.
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– Schedule Analysis
