Eastern Michigan is just what the doctor ordered. It’s the cure for what ails ya.
For those of you unaware of who the exactly the Eagles are, they (1) are a Division I-A team, (2) play in the MAC conference, (3) is 1-17 over the past two seasons.
While Virginia might be in a rebuilding year, Eastern Michigan is a complete reclamation project. This is a team with 65 freshmen or sophomores, and quite a few from either prep schools or junior colleges. While it’s easy to write a ‘W’ in ink on the scoresheet, let us not forget the last time we played a MAC team. It was Homecoming in 2006, and Western Michigan came in and pushed us around on defense and won 17-10. The good news is this EMU team is nothing like the 8-4 Broncos, but, as Hoos fans have learned over the years, that you can’t look past anyone. Let’s get to the breakdown
Coaching
The Eagles are lead by Ron English, who most notably was the defense coordinator for Michigan in 2006, when the Wolverines were ranked #2 in the country before losing to #1 Ohio State by 3 in the last game of the season. After an 9-4 campaign in 2007, he left Michigan to go coach Louisville in 2008. That was not his finest work. After starting the year well, he lost is last 5 games, including a 63-14 decision to Rutgers, and was dismissed as head coach. He then landed in Eastern Michigan in 2009 and has been tasked with rebuilding a team that has won jus 8 games the last 5 seasons.
Offense
Eastern Michigan runs a sort of “hybrid” spread offense. They do not use a fullback, and will set up with a two tight end “big” set on early downs, and switch to a shotgun, 3 wide typical spread set on passing downs, with any and every variation of 1-2 TEs and 2-3 WRs. The name you need to know on the Eagles offense is QB Alex Gillett. Just a sophomore, he is a pass first quarterback, but he has found success when he is able to use the option look out of the shotgun and run the ball. In their first win since the Bush administration last week against Ball State, he threw for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns and ran for 189 and 2 touchdowns. He has had to shoulder both passing and running loads since #1 running back Dwayne Priest has not played the last two weeks. The strange thing is, no one knows why he sat out those games. In Priest’s place has been junior Corey Welch, who is a very small running back and only has 105 yards in 4 games this season. Gillett does have some legitimate threats in the passing game in WRs Kinsman Thomas (406 yards, 4 TDs) and Donald Scott (149 yards, 2 TDs) and TEs Ben Thayer (254, 3 TDs) and Garrett Hoskins (148, TD).
Defense
Another base 4-3 defense with two DTs lining up off guard. There is not much to tout about a side which is 119th in the nation (out of 120 teams) in scoring defense, allowing 304 points in 7 games. The bright spots are DL Javon Reese (19 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 TFL), LB Tim Fort (62 tackles, 4 TFL), and CB Marcell Rose (37 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT).
Special Teams
Again, when your 1-6, special teams is not a strong point. Sean Graham is 3/5 on field goals and 17/18 on XPs (sound familiar?). Jay Karutz handles the punting and averages 40.4/yards. Welch and Kody Fulkerson handles the kick returns jobs, and are average at best.
How Virginia Loses
Those same frat boys that played against VMI show up again for the EMU game. But seriously, this game will have to be won by Gillett, both threw the air, especially to the tight ends, and when optioning to the run if Virginia drops back in coverage. Defensively, they need to capitalize off of Virginia’s mistakes. If Verica (or whoever) start throwing picks again, Eastern Michigan needs to put in the ball in the endzone. Other than that, not much to hope for.
How Virginia Wins
Show up for the coin flip. Outside of that, we need to see improvement on several fronts. On offense, don’t turn the ball over and score in the red zone. On defense, get to the quarterback, pick up your assigned guys, and make tackles. Outside of that, let the running backs dictate the game, and use the short pass to gain first downs. The yards and points should come relatively easy from there.
Prediction
Virginia opens up as a 24 point favorite, which shocked most of the Wahoo faithful, that can’t believe that we could score that many points in one game, let alone beat a team by that much. But it should be a game where Virginia can work on a lot of their lingering problems. In the end, London should get his first I-A win on Saturday, and hope to escape the game with everyone heathy for a major undertaking next week against Miami. UVa 38, EMU 13.
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