Charlotte at Eastern Michigan – College Football Predictions
The Game
It’s rematch time, baby ! The fans demanded it. The fans shall receive it.
Last season the Eagles took to the road to play Charlotte and came away with a 37-19 win on their way to just the second bowl game in school history. It was a fine year for Eastern Michigan finishing up at 7-6 after a decade + of mostly despair. Charlotte doubled their win total in 2016 from two to four and hope to build on that momentum in 2017.
The Details
E MICHIGAN 13.5 CHARLOTTE (56.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – E Michigan -18
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: E Michigan 35 Charlotte 21.5
Massey Ratings Projected Score: E Michigan 35 Charlotte 27
The Match-Up
E Michigan offense vs Charlotte defense
The Eagles look to be really good on offense this season particularly against the weaker defenses on their schedule. QB Brogan Roback was very efficient in 2016 completing almost 60% of his passes while sporting a fine 18-7 TD to INT ratio. The Eagles’ run game should be one of the better ones in the MAC if the OL can do their job. Their top-3 RBs from 2016 are back AND they have potential star Shaq Vann back in the mix. This is a loaded and deep group that will be able to stay fresh for 60 minutes. When the Eagles choose to MATRICULATE in the passing game they have a fine set of WRs to throw to including Sergio Bailey (60-868, 7 TD in 2016). As noted above, the only concern we have is the OL that returns just a pair of starters. They do have excellent size.
Charlotte did a good job against the run last season allowing just 143 yards per game. The 14-trillion dollar question is how they perform without star DL Larry Ogunjobi who started every game in 49ers history (credit: awesome Steele mag) and is off to the NFL. We see a really awful match-up for the Charlotte defense as they will face a really strong running game in this one. The 49ers were bad vs the pass last season (310 yards per game allowed) and only bagged 14 sacks. It feels like the Eagles will be able to move the ball however they want and score a lot of points provided they don’t barf all over themselves with turnovers.
Charlotte offense vs E Michigan defense
The 49ers head into the season with no question about who the starting QB will be in 2017. QB Hasaan Klugh had a 10-3 TD to INT ratio last season and also rushed for 8 TDs. The Eagles will try and keep him contained and not allow him to pick up 3rd down conversions with his legs. The 49ers will be without their all-time leading rusher Kalif Phillips (907 rushing yards last season) as well as their #1 WR from a season ago Austin Duke (59-803). The offensive line brings back three starters and did a decent job in 2016.
The Eagles took a big step forward on defense last season and will almost certainly do the same in 2017. The return 8 starters to the mix and have talent and experience at all three levels of the defense. Eastern Michigan brings back their top seven tacklers from a season ago and just need to find a way to get more PENETRATION to put the finishing touches on things. Overall we see Charlotte having trouble hitting their implied team total.
MEGA-MAZING MORSELS
Do NOT adjust your sets…..The Eagles do indeed play on a gray field……Just another reason to love MACtion……The Eagles won last season in Charlotte 37-19……Eastern Michigan is just 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games as home favorites……Charlotte is just 6-14-2 L22 ATS….Trend Guy is perplexed.
Summary
Who in their right mind is going to lay almost two touchdowns with Eastern Michigan ? Well, if fortune does indeed FAVOR THE BOLD, we suppose the odds are in our favor.
Eastern Michigan should not have any problems on offense. They have a much better defense. Not to mention special teams and coaching. They also had the benefit of bowl practices last season and enter the 2017 campaign full of confidence and a desire to make noise in the competitive MAC West. Charlotte is probably going to take a step back before they can take two steps forward.
Conclusion
Official play: Eastern Michigan -13.5 -107