Eastern Michigan Eagles 2024 College Football Preview
Posted July 24, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 6-7
ATS – 6-7
You’ve just gotta respect these guys, yo.
The Eastern Michigan FOOTBALL EAGLES had one of the least-talented rosters in the country but managed to exceed expectations once again and find their way into bowl season. It didn’t look good when they sat at 4-6 with two games remaining but they slithered past Akron (2-OT) and Buffalo to earn their bowl bid. That postseason contest didn’t exactly go their way as they were INCINERATED by South Alabama in the world-famous 68 Ventures Bowl by a score of 59-10. Frankly, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Still, in a sport where so many teams underachieve with significantly more talent, it’s always fun to see programs like Eastern Michigan leave it all on the field and get rewarded with a bowl invitation.
Eastern Michigan Eagles 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
Last year we witnessed the football version of a garbage bag filled with dirty diapers after being cooked in the sun for three days. The Eagles ranked #129 in the nation in total offense, #112 rushing, and #122 passing. We’re happy to report that there’s good news coming out of Ypsilanti as the Eagles have added an experienced QB in former Buffalo Bulls starter Cole Snyder, RB Delbert Mimms from NC State, RB Dontae McMillan from Weber St, and a Power 4 WR specimen in the form of NC St transfer Porter Rooks. The Eastern Michigan THROW GAME was very unproductive in 2023 (Eagles #130 LY in YPA) and the hope is that a few of the several WR transfers can be productive. And it can’t hurt to have Cole Snyder at QB. The offensive line retains just a pair of starters and is another area where the Eagles will need transfer pieces to step up. Keep your eye on monster transfer Dodji Dahoue who’s got an impossibly yuuuge frame at 6’9” 295.
DEFENSE
The Eagles were a disaster vs the run LY as they finished last in the MAC in run defense (189 YPG) whilst allowing four opponents to rush for 250+ yards, but at least they were mid-pack in the conference in pass efficiency defense (#53 nationally). Our MAC FILM STUDY EXPERTS thought that the defensive line looked pretty good in the spring game and it’s nice to have a player like Justin Jefferson at DE (7.5 TFL, 11 QBH). The LB corps needs some help after the departure of their awesome LB combo of Joe Sparacio and Chase Cline who combined for an impossible 279 (!) tackles a season ago. They’ve brought in some transfers to help the situation and keep an eye on James Djonkam (Arizona St) who could make a big impression in the LB group. The secondary is the strength of the defense on paper and they boast quite a few talented players including emerging star CB Daiquan White.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Yes, guy.
The Eagles were phenomenal on special teams in 2023 (#16 per Phil Steele) and they bring back their outstanding punter Mitchell Tomasek as well as PK Jesus Gomez (12/16 FG LY, 5-8 from 40+). Note that the Eagles had three (!) KR TD in 2023 but their two primary KR are no longer with the team.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It looks promising. They have three winnable games in non-conference action and have the pleasure of facing Kent St, Akron, and Western Michigan. Miami Ohio and Toledo are on the assignment list but both of those contests are at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous is noted.
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 24
Over 4.5 -150
Under 4.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
The Eagles will almost certainly have two or three wins before they hit conference play and they’re good enough to win a small handful of MACtion contests. Eastern Michigan has won 5+ games every year since 2015 (!) excluding the PLANDEMIC-shortened season of 2020 in which they finished with a mark of 2-4.
NOTE – “Lean” implies this is how we’d invest in this market if forced to make a choice. We’ll notify subscribers in our Season Win Total blog post of any season win totals that have made our investment card.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The surface inside Rynearson Stadium is having it’s surface redone before the start of the 2024 season. This renovation is thanks in large part to a million dollar donation by former Eagles DE (and current Las Vegas Raider) Maxx Crosby. We will now be watching Eastern Michigan home games on Maxx Crosby Field at Rynearson Stadium.
Why is the field GREY and not GREEN? According to the intrepid Tom Helmer who does the play-by-play for the Eagles, the field is “parking lot grey” thanks to HC Chris Creighton who noted back in 2014 that the team should quit whining and be happy to play anywhere, including on a parking lot. Trivia BOMBS, bay-bee!
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
Eastern Michigan doesn’t have an imposing roster to say the least but they’ve made a nice upgrade at QB, have a solid defense, and an excellent HC in Chris Creighton to lead the way. The Eagles have made a bowl game in six of the last eight seasons and we believe they’ve got at least a 50/50 shot of doing it again. Let’s go!