The Eastern Michigan Eagles have not managed to put up a winning mark since 1995. They had a mixed 49-135 record over the last 16 years. Things seem to finally be turning around for Eastern Michigan as they are coming off a 6-6 campaign last season, which was the best mark they had since that '95 season. They'd lose 3 of their last four by 6 points or less and they missed the bowl game as a result.
Eastern Michigan can eventually put their humbling drought passed them as they appear to finally be going on course. They have 14 starters and 45 lettermen coming back and this roster has the opportunity of ending the streak and putting the drought behind them.
Offense
The Eagles put up 21.3 points and 345 total yards/game last year. With the offense returning 9 starters and virtually all of its key players from a year ago, this unit can be one of the most improved in the conference.
Senior QB Alex Gillett is back and he could be a dual threat QB capable of making things tricky on his opponents as he led the team in rushing with 736 yards and three scores on the ground. He also completed 55.1% of his throws for 1,504 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven picks.
The Eagles utilized a running back by committee plan as Dominique Sherrer, Javonti Greene and Dominique White had a total of 1,835 yards, 5.0/carry and 13 scores. With those three coming back, this is among the best backfields in the conference.
The receiving group brings back three of its top 4 including their best 2 in junior WR Nick Olds and senior TE Garrett Hoskins. Also coming back is sophomore WR Demarius Reed. Sophomore WR Julius Shelby takes the starting spot.
The O-line returns 9 of its top 10, which includes 4 starters and 95 career starts. The starters coming back are senior C Andrew Sorgatz, senior LG Corey Watman, sophomore RT Lincoln Hansen and senior LT Korey Neal. This may be a very robust unit and one of the most underrated in the league. They put up 218 rushing yards/game and 4.6/carry last season, while giving up just 19 sacks.
Defense
The Eagles posted one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in the nation last season after allowing just 24.3 points and 350 total yards/game last season. With only five starters coming back this year, it will be tough for the Eagles to duplicate last season's totals. They do bring back five of their leading 8 tacklers defensively.
Their biggest question mark is on the defensive line as they lose 4 productive starters, including second-team All-MAC DE Brad Ohrman. Their lone starter coming back is RUSH DE Andy Mulumba. They were able to secure a couple of solid JUCO transfers in senior DT Devin Henderson and sophomore DT Cy Maughmer to fill up the center.
The linebacker corps are a deep and experienced bunch with their 1, 8, 10 and 12 tacklers all coming back. Leading the way is third-team All-MAC WLB Justin Cudworth. Starting alongside Cudworth is junior MLB Colin Weingrad and senior SLB Bryan Pali.
The secondary loses its two best guys in third-team All-MAC FS Latarrius Thomas and SS Willie Williams. They do bring back 2 starters in senior CB Marcell Rose and junior CB Marlon Pollard. They actually downgrade at the safety spot as they put in two inexperienced sophomores as starters in SS Pudge Cotton and FS Kevin Johnson.
MAC West Prediction - 5th
One of the most compelling reasons why the Eagles are picked so low is because it's such a stacked West Division. EMU has some superb talent though and they've a great opportunity to make the postseason for the 1st time since '87. They do have to face two of the top three teams from the East in Ohio and Bowling Green on the road. They also get Northern Illinois, Central Michigan and Toledo at home; all three are projected to ed up before them. If they can find some way to win those games, then EMU will be the surprise team in the MAC West this season.
Eastern Michigan can eventually put their humbling drought passed them as they appear to finally be going on course. They have 14 starters and 45 lettermen coming back and this roster has the opportunity of ending the streak and putting the drought behind them.
Offense
The Eagles put up 21.3 points and 345 total yards/game last year. With the offense returning 9 starters and virtually all of its key players from a year ago, this unit can be one of the most improved in the conference.
Senior QB Alex Gillett is back and he could be a dual threat QB capable of making things tricky on his opponents as he led the team in rushing with 736 yards and three scores on the ground. He also completed 55.1% of his throws for 1,504 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven picks.
The Eagles utilized a running back by committee plan as Dominique Sherrer, Javonti Greene and Dominique White had a total of 1,835 yards, 5.0/carry and 13 scores. With those three coming back, this is among the best backfields in the conference.
The receiving group brings back three of its top 4 including their best 2 in junior WR Nick Olds and senior TE Garrett Hoskins. Also coming back is sophomore WR Demarius Reed. Sophomore WR Julius Shelby takes the starting spot.
The O-line returns 9 of its top 10, which includes 4 starters and 95 career starts. The starters coming back are senior C Andrew Sorgatz, senior LG Corey Watman, sophomore RT Lincoln Hansen and senior LT Korey Neal. This may be a very robust unit and one of the most underrated in the league. They put up 218 rushing yards/game and 4.6/carry last season, while giving up just 19 sacks.
Defense
The Eagles posted one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in the nation last season after allowing just 24.3 points and 350 total yards/game last season. With only five starters coming back this year, it will be tough for the Eagles to duplicate last season's totals. They do bring back five of their leading 8 tacklers defensively.
Their biggest question mark is on the defensive line as they lose 4 productive starters, including second-team All-MAC DE Brad Ohrman. Their lone starter coming back is RUSH DE Andy Mulumba. They were able to secure a couple of solid JUCO transfers in senior DT Devin Henderson and sophomore DT Cy Maughmer to fill up the center.
The linebacker corps are a deep and experienced bunch with their 1, 8, 10 and 12 tacklers all coming back. Leading the way is third-team All-MAC WLB Justin Cudworth. Starting alongside Cudworth is junior MLB Colin Weingrad and senior SLB Bryan Pali.
The secondary loses its two best guys in third-team All-MAC FS Latarrius Thomas and SS Willie Williams. They do bring back 2 starters in senior CB Marcell Rose and junior CB Marlon Pollard. They actually downgrade at the safety spot as they put in two inexperienced sophomores as starters in SS Pudge Cotton and FS Kevin Johnson.
MAC West Prediction - 5th
One of the most compelling reasons why the Eagles are picked so low is because it's such a stacked West Division. EMU has some superb talent though and they've a great opportunity to make the postseason for the 1st time since '87. They do have to face two of the top three teams from the East in Ohio and Bowling Green on the road. They also get Northern Illinois, Central Michigan and Toledo at home; all three are projected to ed up before them. If they can find some way to win those games, then EMU will be the surprise team in the MAC West this season.