– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:50 am
2017 Football Preview – Mid-American Conference – Eagles
Looking for 2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles predictions? The Eagles are hoping for more of the same success after a 7-6 season that included a bowl loss to Old Dominion.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Head Coach: Chris Creighton
- 2016 Record: 7-6
- Eastern Michigan Eagles Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
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Are the Eagles talented enough to reach win the division title?
2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles Predictions: Team Strengths
Pressure from the front four: The defensive line has not been a productive unit the last couple of years while dealing with major injuries from key contributors from the defensive end positions.
Leading the way for the defensive line is Jeremiah Harris, who racked up 4 sacks and was fourth on the team in tackles with 69. Can he replicate his 3rd team all-conference numbers from last season?
Look for former top 100- defensive tackle Luke Maclean to be a force in the backfield after he had 5.5 sacks last season.
The big stat was the incredible run defense that went from giving up over 300 yards on the ground in 2015 to under 170 in 2016. I expect them to put up similar numbers this season.
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Athletic and very experienced linebackers: The Eagles return their #1 tackler from 2013, and their top two tacklers from last season.
Ike Spearman should be a great Mike linebacker once again for the Eagles. He and senior Derrick Williams should make big contributions at the MLB spot.
At one outside linebacker position Jason Beck should rack up another 100+ tackle season. He only had half a sack last season, but he is a run stuffer that shouldn’t be expected to rush the passer.
At the other side of the scheme is Kyle Rachwal. The other run stuffing outside linebacker who also racked up over 100 tackles as well.
This dynamic duo should make waves in the conference and both should garner All-Conference nods.
2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Who will line up under center?: When you replace a four year starter there will definitely be questions about their replacement for the upcoming season. Cooper Rush will go down as one of the best QB’s in CMU history and whoever steps in will have big shoes to fill.
The first to get a crack at it will more than likely be redshirt freshman Tony Poljan, a former top 50 QB. This is actually surprising to me with grad transfer Shane Morris sitting at #2 on the depth chart. He is talented even though he didn’t get much chance to start at Michigan.
Can this unit replicate Rush’s number? I don’t think so but they should still have enough firepower to make noise in the division.
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The secondary can only go up Eastern Michigan defensive backs had a hard time shutting down opposing passing offenses last year. The unit as a whole gave up 25 touchdowns and only picked off eleven passes. They also gave up a 60% completion percentage but those numbers are surprisingly better than 2015.
While the Eagles lose 3rd team All-Mac corner DaQuan Pace, their top 3 corners were all true freshman when they lined up for EMU last year. This will be an improved bunch of sophomores and barring injuries can definitely help the team reach bowl eligibility.
Eastern Michigan Eagles Prediction: 6-6
Eastern Michigan will have a bit of a down swing in 2017, but that’s mainly due to a tough schedule and ot a lack of improved talent on both sides of the ball.
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2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles Football Schedule
- 9/1/17 TBD CHAR
- 9/9/17 TBD @RUT
- 9/23/17 TBD OHIO
- 9/30/17 TBD @KY
- 10/7/17 TBD @TOL
- 10/14/17 TBD @ARMY
- 10/21/17 TBD WMU
- 10/26/17 TBD @NIU
- 11/2/17 TBD BALL
- 11/8/17 TBD @CMU
- 11/15/17 TBD @MIAO
- 11/21/17 TBD BG
What do you think about our 2017 Eastern Michigan Eagles predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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