Setting the scene
Three years ago, Eastern Michigan traveled to a PAC-12 school and dominated its opponent in a 30-21 win over Arizona State. The Eagles are in similar territory this Saturday, when they face the PAC-12-bound Texas State Bobcats. Both teams have new rosters and questions that need answers, but the Eagles can build early momentum for another bowl season under the steady leadership of Chris Creighton.
Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, August 30th, at 8 p.m. Eastern time
- Network: The game will stream exclusively on ESPN+
- Location: Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Texas
- Spread: Texas State -13.5, with an over/under of 58.5, per DraftKings.
- All-time series: Eastern Michigan won the first and only game in the series last time out, taking a 59-21 win over the Bobcats on Sept. 25, 2021.
About Eastern Michigan
Noah Kim, Jeremiah Salem, and Cameron Edge all could see time at quarterback for the Eagles. Kim has
starting experience at both Coastal Carolina and Michigan State, while Edge showed flashes of excellence in limited appearances at Maryland. Salem enters his second year in the system after brief appearances last year. Whoever starts will have two solid pieces at the skill positions to support them.
Donte McMillan should anchor the run game after an injury cut his initial campaign with Eastern Michigan short. McMillan ran for over 1,600 yards and an efficient six yards per carry at his previous stop at Weber State. McMillan is the smaller back in the two-deep, with Tavierre Dunlap behind him. Dunlap’s 215-pound frame should replace Delbert Mimms in short-yardage situations. Dunlap is a Michigan transfer who showed solid burst in 16 career carries with a six-yard average.
Terry Lockett is the heart and soul of the receiving corps. The Michigan State transfer earned third-team All-MAC honors last year after recording 48 catches for 660 yards. Lockett is the lone familiar face in the receiving corps. Porter Rooks is an NC State transfer who missed all of last year, but has plenty of experience with 891 receiving yards in four years at NC State. Whoever plays at quarterback could struggle early on, but at least they face a Texas State defense replacing both corners.
The offensive line could decide the game for Eastern Michigan. The unit gave up 35 sacks last year and face a Texas State squad that returns two starting defensive ends who combined for 11 sacks. Eastern Michigan is known for its tough run game, but struggles on the line could force them into more passing situations and play to Texas State’s strengths.
The defense has the tall task of stopping GJ Kinne’s high-octane offense.
The defense returns just three starters and lost all of their top ten tacklers. Luckily, Texas State has just as much turnover on offense with just three returnees. Eastern Michigan has a recent trend of star linebackers in their 4-2-5 scheme, and will rotate four linebackers: Zach Mowchan, Kadin Bailey, Marco Patierno, and Bryce Eilluk, at both positions. BANDIT Bryce Llewellen’s playmaking ability will come in handy against Kinne’s scheme. Llewellyn had nine pass breakups last year.
About Texas State
GJ Kinne is one of the best transfer portal recruiters in the game and it looks like he has another solid roster. Nonetheless, what looks good on paper does not always translate to success.
Quarterback Brad Jackson will start for the Bobcats and replace the electric Jordan McCloud. McCloud orchestrated the Bobcat offense with over 3,000 passing yards and 37 touchdowns last year. Despite losing their top three receivers and leading rusher, the Bobcats have plenty of experience at those positions. Lincoln Pare ran for over 500 yards and had six yards per carry at running back last year. Torrance Burgess and Greg Burrell, who both averaged six yards per carry and had 300 rushing yards, boost this backfield. The receiver tandem of Chris Dawn and Beau Sparks returns after combining for nearly 700 yards and eight touchdowns in contributing roles. Unlike Eastern Michigan, Texas State will start a quarterback that has experience in their system.
The Bobcats return just two starters on defense, but backfilled with game-tested FCS talent, and also return multiple contributors from last year. Jo’Laison Landry and Khalil Alexander return from a pass rush that accumulated 36 sacks last year. Treylin Payne and Aydin Jones combined for over 80 tackles and will lead the Bobcats’ 4-2-5 scheme. The secondary is the biggest question, but safety Ryan Nolan had 52 tackles in a part-time starting role at safety. At corner, six-foot-three Canden Grogan will make the vertical passing game difficult for Eastern Michigan. However, he lacks game experience, which Eastern Michigan could take advantage of.
Prediction
Eastern Michigan always finds a way to compete despite perceived talent advantages and should make this game competitive. Still, GJ Kinne navigates the transfer portal as good as anyone and returns a quarterback who knows his system. Eastern Michigan has too many questions on defense and if they fall behind early, they could struggle to keep up with Texas State. It will be competitive, but Eastern Michigan may not have the build to come from behind against a fast-paced scheme like Texas State
Prediction: Texas State 31, Eastern Michigan 21
