College Football News Preview 2020: Eastern Michigan Eagles Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Eastern Michigan Eagles Offense
Find more from the running backs. The MAC’s best passing game worked well, but the most effective runner at times was former QB Mike Glass. The backs are going to need to do more, and there’s not a whole lot of sure-thing talent to rely on.
The running game failed to hit the 2,000-yard mark for the third year in a row, which isn’t a big deal as long as it’s effective when it does give it a go. The Eagles were 3-1 when banging out over 150 yards, but more importantly was how they won both games when they averaged over five yards per carry.
The program has won its last six games – going back three years – when it hits the five-yard-per-carry mark.
Biggest Key To The Eastern Michigan Eagles Defense
Get into the backfield more. Sacks are splashy, but it’s more than that. EMU hasn’t been amazing at generating quarterback hits over the last several years, but it’s been okay. Where it really has to rise up and rock is at generating tackles for loss – that’s part of the reason why the third down stops weren’t there last season.
The 2018 defense came up with 76 tackles for loss and was more disruptive. Last year’s D came up with just 57 in 13 games – the fewest since 2013. EMU had three or fewer in six games.
Key Eastern Michigan Eagles Player To A Successful Season
QB Chris Helbig, Sr.
Or junior Preston Hutchinson. Someone has to rise up and be the new Mike Glass for the offense.
The passing game will still be the main mode of transportation – the running back corps is very, very thin – and Helbig is just the type of passer who can come in and take over the attack. He’s a 6-4, 225-pound bomber who can run, and threw for close to 4,000 yards at Southern Utah before transferring over.
Key Game To The Eastern Michigan Eagles Season
Central Michigan, Oct. 3
The Eagles start out the MAC season with Northern Illinois at home, and follow it up a few weeks later against the defending MAC West champs. With three of the final four games on the road, EMU has to take advantage of the home dates – it has to get by CMU after getting whacked 42-16 last year.
– Eastern Michigan Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Eastern Michigan Fun Stats
– Penalties: Opponents 77 for 760 yards – EMU 59 for 531 yards
– Fumbles: Opponents 21 (lost 10) – EMU 16 (lost 5)
– 4th Down Conversions: Opponents 15-of-20 (75%) – EMU 12-of-25 (48%)