Eastern Michigan holds as many wins as anyone in the Mid-American Conference heading into Tuesday night’s MACtion crossover game against Ohio on Tuesday night.
That reality doesn’t have the Eagles atop the MAC West Division right now, but EMU is still in the thick of the race.
Can the bowl-eligible EMU Eagles stay in the league title hunt?
Eastern Michigan vs. Ohio: MACtion Football Odds
Oddsmakers favor EMU
Eastern Michigan comes into Tuesday’s game as the favorite at home. Oddsmakers from most Michigan sports betting outlets are listing the Eagles as a 7-point home favorite against the Bobcats.
BetRivers Sportsbook was the lone dissenter on Sunday night, listing an 8-point spread.
When it comes to the moneyline for Tuesday’s game, EMU is listed from -270 to -285. Ohio is getting odds of +215 to +230 to win on Tuesday, the highest amount coming from Caesars Sportsbook.
The over/under total is listed at 60.5 points at all sportsbooks except BetRivers, which had it at 61.5.
Eastern Michigan is 4-5 against the spread this season, and the over is 5-4. Ohio is also 4-5 against the spread, with the under at 6-3.
Ohio has a 19-12-1 advantage in the all-time series with Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats have won and covered the spread in five of their past six meetings with the Eagles.
How to watch: Ohio vs. Eastern Michigan
- What: Ohio (2-7, 2-3 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (6-3, 2-3)
- When: 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 9
- Where: Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti
- TV: ESPN2
- Online livestream: ESPN+
- Radio: WEMU Radio
Eagles become bowl-eligible
Eastern Michigan won a shootout with Toledo on Tuesday night 52-49 to become bowl eligible.
Eighth-year coach Chris Creighton has gotten EMU bowl eligible for the fourth time in his run with the program. EMU enters this week’s game one game behind Northern Illinois in the MAC West.
The Eagles have won back-to-back games over Toledo and Bowling Green, scoring 107 points in the two victories.
EMU was outgained 672-490 in Tuesday’s game, but the Eagles forced three turnovers to get the victory.
Senior quarterback Ben Bryant had his best game of the season, throwing for a season-high 354 yards with three touchdowns. Hassan Beydoun was his top target, catching 12 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles struggled to efficiently run the ball, as Jawon Hamilton had 64 yards and a score, while Darius Boone Jr. had 63 yards.
Despite the win, EMU has to be concerned about its defense. The Eagles are giving up 424.2 yards per game on the year and 187.1 rushing yards per outing. Both rank outside the top 100 nationally. In Tuesday’s win, Toledo threw for 461 yards and rushed for 211.
Ohio snaps losing skid
Ohio put an end to a 3-game losing streak last Tuesday with a 35-33 win at home over Miami (Ohio).
The Bobcats established a 28-0 lead into the third quarter and eventually had to hang on for dear life for the victory.
Like Eastern Michigan, Ohio is struggling defensively this year. The Bobcats rank 110th in total defense (442.6 ypg), 121st in rushing defense (208.3 ypg) and 103rd in scoring defense (31.3 ppg). In Tuesday’s win, Ohio was still outgained 569-413.
Offensively, Kurtis Rourke had a strong game under center to lead Ohio to the win. He threw for 288 yards with a season-high three touchdowns. Rourke also rushed for 44 yards.
Isiah Cox led the receivers with six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, De’Montre Tuggle had 69 yards rushing with two scores.
The Ohio offense hasn’t had many highlights this year, averaging just 366 yards per game. The ground game has been its biggest strength with 185.8 yards per contest.
Tuggle leads the way with 622 yards and seven scores, while backup QB Armani Rogers has 461 and six scores, as he is regularly mixed into the offense.
