As it prepares for Miami of Ohio this weekend, the Eastern Michigan football team has reflected on not seeing Mid-American Conference play start as it would have hoped.
The Eagles came up just shy at Northern Illinois, but look to get back on track at home this weekend.
Will EMU be able to take care of the RedHawks and earn their first MAC victory?
Eastern Michigan vs. Miami (Ohio): NCAA Football Odds
Eastern Michigan a slight home underdog to Miami
Eastern Michigan appears to have its work cut out for it this weekend.
Most oddsmakers are listing the Eagles as a 1.5-point home underdog against Miami of Ohio.
PointsBet Sportsbook actually listed EMU as a 2.5-point underdog as of Wednesday.
When it comes to the moneyline, EMU is ranging from +100 to +110.
The over/under total for Saturday’s game was listed at 59 points in most sportsbooks mid-week. FanDuel Sportsbook was listing it at 58.5 points.
EMU comes into this game just 1-4 against the spread and the under at a 3-2 clip. Miami is 2-3 against the spread, with the under also hitting on three of five occasions.
Miami has dominated the all-time series with Eastern. The RedHawks are 19-5 in the 24 all-time meetings. However, EMU won the last encounter in 2017, 27-24 on the road.
How to watch: Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
- Who: Miami-Ohio (2-3, 0-1 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (3-2, 0-1)
- When: 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 9
- Where: Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti
- Online livestream: ESPN+ (Announcers: Michael Reghi, Je’rod Cherry)
- Radio: WEMU Radio
EMU unable to complete comeback
Eastern Michigan found itself trailing throughout last week’s game. The Eagles were able to rally in the second half to get within seven, but couldn’t tie the score and lost 27-20 to NIU.
The Eagles had a pair of turnovers and seven penalties in the game, which aided in the loss.
Known for being a physical team under coach Chris Creighton, EMU also had just 38 rushing yards on 24 attempts in the loss to Miami. That was a far cry from the 140.2 yards per game the team is averaging on the season.
Darius Boone Jr. had 19 yards on 10 carries. He and Jawon Hamilton are the leading rushers on the year, with a combined total of nearly 500 yards.
Ben Bryant has thrown for 1,013 yards and six scores this season. That total included 338 passing yards and two touchdowns in the loss to NIU.
Defensively this season, EMU has been average. The Eagles are giving up 25 points and 390.8 yards per game. That effort puts them around the No. 75 mark nationally.
In the loss to NIU, the Eagles gave up 242 rushing yards to the Huskies.
Miami gets past Central Michigan
Miami opened up MAC play with a 28-17 win at home over Central Michigan last weekend.
The RedHawks trailed 17-14 in the fourth quarter, but rallied for two scores to win by 11.
Miami finished the game with 514 total yards, a massive raise from its 377.6 ypg average on the season. The RedHawks passed for 350 yards in the win. AJ Mayer and Brett Gabbert combined in the effort, throwing for more than 170 yards each and two touchdowns.
Gabbert has been the starter, but an injury forced Mayer into action. Gabbert’s status for Saturday’s game is unknown. He has thrown for 736 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Miami faces a tough EMU passing defense this week that gives up just 187.4 yards per game through the air. However, the RedHawks haven’t had much of a ground presence in 2021. Keyon Mozee is the leading rusher with just 219 yards.
Defensively, Miami is giving up 25.4 points and 371.8 yards per game. Against CMU, the RedHawks allowed 430 total yards, including 378 through the air.
Typically, Miami’s run defense has been an issue. Miami gives up nearly 180 yards per game on the ground this season, which is where EMU is likely to look to attack.
