Chris Creighton has transformed Eastern Michigan from perennial afterthought into a consistent fixture of bowl season during his 12-year tenure. However, the Eagles are winless in its first three games of 2025 and on an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season. An 0-4 non-conference slate could put the Eagles in danger of missing bowls in back-to-back years for the first time since Creighton’s first two years at the helm. It may seem early for a game to be a must-win, but Eastern Michigan’s
game against Louisiana fits the description.
Louisiana, meanwhile, comes in similarly in need of a good performance. The Ragin’ Cajuns, who have won 10+ games four of the last six seasons, sits at 1-2, and need to win this week in order to maintain that pace. In fact, ULL hasn’t started a season 1-3 since Billy Napier’s debut season in 2018. It’s imperative for them to get going in the right direction to keep up in a stout Sun Belt Conference.
- Time and date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
- Network: The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+; a valid subscription is required.
- Location: Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich.
- Gambling considerations: Louisiana is a 2.5-point road favorite, with an over/under of 50.5, per FanDuel.
- Radio options: Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (color) will provide the EMU call for WEMU-FM 89.1.
- All-time series: Louisiana leads 2-1 all-time, taking a 49-21 victory the last time these two teams met in 2022.
About the Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan looks different this year in that the passing game anchors the offense. Coastal Carolina and Michigan State transfer Noah Kim has been impressive through three games, averaging 255 yards per contest. Kim had 330 yards against Kentucky, something the Eagles had to lean upon playing from behind most of the contest.
Terry Lockett is well on his way to another all-MAC season at his current pace with 16 catches for 230 yards, but beyond him, the receiving corps has questionable depth. Currently, no other receiver has more than seven receptions or 74 yards. Louisiana will likely focus its attention on Lockett and force other receivers to step up.
Running back Donte McMillan has been efficient in the run game, but has had limited usage. McMillan is averaging over seven yards per carry, but only has 30 attempts in three games. McMillan can help the Eagles take control of games, but Eastern Michigan must start games fast to make running game the focal point of the offense. Noah Kim is also a threat to run, with 16 non-sack carries for 86 yards on the year. Eastern Michigan could get back to the tough running game they are known for against a Louisiana team giving up a putrid 227 yards per game on the ground. The Ragin’ Cajuns allowed 427 last week to Missouri, including 250 from Ahmad Hardy. Eastern Michigan must not fall behind too fast; otherwise, they’ll end up having to become reliant on the pass once again.
Unfortunately, Eastern Michigan has its own issues defending the run. The Eagles are somehow even worse than Louisiana against the run, allowing 292 yards per game. The Ragin Cajuns are a run-first offense, averaging 194 yards per game. The defense must have safety Bryce Llewelyn (19 tackles) and Marco Patierno (19 tackles) playing downhill to force Louisiana to pass. Otherwise, the game could become a repeat of the Texas State game. When Louisiana does have to pass, they might not have much trouble against a secondary that has yet to record an interception. Still, Joshua Scott and Caleb Coley are tough pass defenders with each recording a pair of pass breakups so far.
About the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Louisiana is in the third year under Michael Desormeaux, who has done a nice job of transitioning from the Napier era and keeping the Ragin’ Cajuns a competitor in the Sun Belt. Desormeaux had to endure back-to-back 6-6 campaigns after Napier and a strong class of graduates and transfers departed in 2022, but 2024 saw marked improvement, as ULL qualified for the SBC Championship after winning the West Division with a 7-1 conference record.
The Ragin’ Cajuns fell to the Marshall Thundering Herd and would also lose their bowl game, finishing the year at 10-4.
Unfortunately, that listless momentum has carried into 2025 for Louisiana, going 1-2 with a particularly unpleasant performance against Missouri, where the team completed two of their 14 passes for four yards. After Walker Howard’s injury in Week 1, Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield have split snaps under center, intensifying offseason concerns about the state of the offensive line— which has given up six sacks this season.
Fortunately, they may not even need to pass given Eastern Michigan’s struggles against the run. Zylan Perry and Bill Davis are both explosive backs. Perry is the team leader in rushing with 226 yards and seven yards per carry, while Davis has 191 yards and five yards per carry. They sit at #42 in the NCAA in rushing offense, with Perry currently 11th amongst active rushers in yards per carry. The run game been a much-needed element of the offense, as the passing game averages a paltry 59 yards per game.
On defense, linebackers Jaden Dugger and Terrence Williams wreak havoc. Jake St. Andre also provides depth up the middle with 15 tackles so far at linebacker. Both have over 20 tackles and two tackles for loss so far. Defensive backs Jalen Whitfield and Jalen Clark have both intercepted passes as well.
Final Thoughts
Both teams need a win to start conference play on the right foot and the ineffectiveness of both defenses could make this a high-scoring affair. Still, Eastern Michigan looks like a worse team than Louisiana currently, and trust to turn it around is at a low considering what Louisiana is good at.
EMU’s defense is worse against the run, and the offense might have to continue to play out of their element and be pass-heavy if they can’t find a way to establish and keep the pace early on. Thus, Louisiana should take this one in a high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Louisiana 42, Eastern Michigan 38
