Wyoming at Eastern Michigan – Preview and Prediction
WYOMING 3 E MICHIGAN (64)
Implied Projected Score: Wyoming 33.5 E Michigan 30.5
MEGALOCKS LINE – Wyoming -3
The Game
Eastern Michigan has not had three wins since the epic 2011 season. Don’t look now, but the Eagles are 2-1 and threatening to get into the Top 25 (ok, maybe not) if they can pull off the victory on Friday night. Wyoming is also an unbelievable 2-1 and are looking to avenge last season’s loss at home to Eastern Michigan.
The Match-Up
Wyoming offense vs E Michigan defense
QB Josh Allen gives the Cowboys the balance that they need on offense. Allen is off to a good start this season, and not only that, his favorite target WR Tanner Gentry has 261 yards receiving so far in 2016. But make no mistake, it all comes down to the Eastern Michigan defense vs RB Brian Hill. It is hard to stay on the radar when you play for Wyoming, but Hill had over 1,600 yards last season, and he is off to a great start (381 yards 5 TD). Last year the Cowboys rushed for over 400 yards (!!) against E Michigan but somehow lost by 19 points. We remember, because we had Wyoming. Overall, we see the Cowboys moving the ball but not as easily as they did last season. The E Michigan defense is more experienced and improved. Allen has already thrown 5 INT.
E Michigan offense vs Wyoming defense
The Eagles suffered a big blow when it was announced that emerging star RB Shaq Vann is out for the season. Vann averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season and was almost averaging 8 yards (!) a pop this season before the bad news. Ian Erikson and company will do a decent job but Vann was the star of the unit. The good news here is that “backup” QB Todd Porter has played really well so far and the Eagles now have two legit starting QBs. The Wyoming secondary is pretty awful when they are healthy and we are not sure they are going to have all the starters ready for Friday night. We can see E Michigan doing some damage in the air, but if they are forced to be one dimensional, we feel that they will lose the game no matter how well the QB plays.
MEGA Minutia
Wyoming is 1-12 SU on the road under HC Craig Bohl……Both teams have conference play ahead next week and BOTH teams are starting to smell the seemingly impossible bowl bid staring them in the face if they can get 3 wins before September ends……Wyoming out for “revenge” from last season but hard to say how much of an impact that will have when we are talking about MAC vs Mountain West……Trend players note E Michigan is 16-5 to the over in their last 21 home games.
Summary
The point spread and the total look about right to us. We think the Cowboys are the better team but they have a pretty pathetic road record recently and the better defense resides with the Eagles. Tough call.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: None