FanPost

Previewing MSU's Opponents: Eastern Michigan (Week 4)

We are now within 40 days of the college football season beginning. While 2013 was one of MSU's most successful seasons ever, it is time to turn the page and start getting prepared for 2014. One way I'm going to try to help us get prepared for 2014 is by previewing all 12 (which we hope to be 14 or 15) games this season. Next up is the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

Easternmichuniv_medium

via upload.wikimedia.org


School:
Eastern Michigan Eagles
All-Time Series Record:
6-0 MSU (Last met in 2012; MSU 23, EMU 7)
2013 Result:
2-10 (1-7 in MAC); Was not bowl eligible
Head Coach:
Chris Creighton (1st season at EMU, 139-46 overall)
Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists)
Fun Facts: The average score in the six meetings between has been 45-8 … they have made two bowl games in their history, going 1-1 … they have never finished a season ranked in any major poll … Notable Alumni: George Allen, Charlie Batch, Bob Welch, George Gervin

Overview: Another year, another poor season by the Eagles. After the Ron English era could never take off, EMU took a dip in the FCS pool and hired Chris Creighton, formerly the head man at Drake. Creighton is going to be fighting an uphill battle when you consider that EMU is probably one of the 10 worst FBS schools in history. It won't be a one year build for him, either, as this team isn't exactly stocked with talent or with a winning tradition. It'll likely be three years before they are even a realistic threat in the MAC (and that's if everything goes right).

If there was a strength on last years team, it would have been the offense. "Strength" is a relative term, though, as they were still in the 100s nationally in Points Per Game, Passing Offense, and Total Offense. They were able to run the ball mildly well with 158 ypg total, which was good for 75th in FBS. They return their leading rusher Bronson Hill, along with it's top four pass catchers. Sophomore QB Brogan Roback also returns after starting the final three games of the season. While they were a run first team under English, under Creighton and new Offensive Coordinator Kalen DeBoer EMU will evolve into a more balanced or even pass-first attack. I don't expect them to put up many points against MSU, as they were held to 10 points (4 times) more often than they eclipsed 28 points (3 times).

Defensively, oh boy is it ugly. MSUs second team would be a considerable improvement on the best that EMU has to offer. Their "best" unit of the three was their pass defense, which ranked 94th nationally. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they return only one of their starting defensive backs from last year in Willie Creear. On the bright side, the other 3 projected starters are seniors, so there should be some experience back there. EMU is thin on depth on this side of the ball, and it shows. The offense will have to be the horse that carries this team if they want any semblance of success. If the defense is the stronger unit, that probably means EMU is 0-12 or 1-11 (which could definitely happen anyways).

Final Analysis: If I had to make a statement on this EMU team, I'd say that it's a high chance that they will be the worst team Michigan State faces this season. Yes, even worse than FCS Jacksonville State. They aren't particularly strong on either side of the ball, which means good things for MSU. They should be able to work out any kinks these next two games featuring less than stellar opponents. If they want to pass to win this game, they will. If they want to run to win this game, they will. The talent disparity is as long as the drive from Ypsilanti to East Lansing is. This is a "Collect Them Checks" game for EMU and a glorified scrimmage for MSU.

It will be a good day for MSU if: Much like the JSU game, there's no injuries, no stress, and the 2nd and 3rd stringers are getting reps by the 3rd quarter.

It will be a bad day for MSU if: I don't know... the defense allows 17 points? The offense doesn't eclipse 30? This will not be a game at all, so I won't even justify EMU keeping this a contest somewhat respectable by halftime.

Bold Prediction: Trae Waynes and one of the backup DBs (my guess is Demetrious Cox) will record interceptions.

My Call: Yawn. Connor Cook will have a good day, as will Jeremy Langford. Sometimes I don't like to put the cart fully before the horse, even against poor opponents, but nah. This ain't happening. Nothing to see here. Michigan State 45, Eastern Michigan 3.

This is a FanPost, written by a member of the TOC community. It does not represent the official positions of The Only Colors, Inc.--largely because we have no official positions.