VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > 2008 MAC Football Pigskin Preview > Eastern Michigan Eagles

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2008 Eastern Michigan Football Preview

EMU's Strengths:

• QB Andy Schmitt is one of the best-kept secrets in the MAC, ranking 6th in the league in passing efficiency last season. When fully healthy Schmitt also provides ‘dual-treat’ abilities as he was the only MAC QB to lead his team in rushing during the 2006 season.
• Dan Holtzclaw is one the nation’s top linebackers – period. A legitimate preseason Butkas Award Candidate, Holtzclaw will be a rare four-year starter for the Eagles. He ranked 3rd in the MAC in total tackles in 2007; #1 in the league in 2006 and 13th in 2005 – his freshman season.
• Outside of the punt return area, Eastern has some very effective special teams play. Punter Zach Johnson is on the preseason Ray Guy watch list after averaging 42 yards per boot. Johnson also serves as the placekicker, hitting a 50-yarder last year. Dontayo Gage averaged 23 yards per kickoff return.

EMU's Weaknesses:

• The defensive line will certainly miss NFL Draft pick Jason Jones and tenacious DE Eric Young. Even with these two talented players EMU finished last year ranked 89th in scoring defense and 90th in total defense. Seniors Spenser Smith & Josh Hunt will need to lead a very young and unproven DL unit.
• If you take away the final three games of 2007, EMU averaged just 20 points per game. Due to various injuries to skill-position players and general offensive inefficiencies, Eastern Michigan scored less than 17 points in four games. The offense has yet to maintain consistency since 2004, Jeff Genyk’s first season as head coach.
• A losing tradition. EMU has played in just one bowl during their long football history, the 1987 California Raisin Bowl victory over San Jose State. EMU has been in the MAC over 35 years and have just one MAC title to show for it – that same 1987 team. EMU has not even had a winning season since President Bill Clinton’s first term - 1995.

EMU's Opportunities:

• EMU averaged 36 points per game during the final three contests in 2007. Although the Eagles were only 1-2 in those games, they did beat MAC Champ Central Michigan to close out the season. The offense will click early this season as EMU will feast in week #1 as they open the 2008 campaign at home against Indiana State. The Sycamores were 0-11 last year giving up 49 points per game.
• The schedule gives Eastern Michigan an opportunity for hope. The non-conference features two games the Eagles should win – Indiana State and Army. EMU also has MAC divisional crossover games with Akron and Temple, both offering a real chance at victory. Finally, EMU gets two early home games against NIU and Toledo, divisional rivals that are both in transition.

EMU's Threats:

• LB Andre Hatchett really provides needed support for fellow All-American candidate Dan Holtzclaw. Hatchett ranked 13th in the MAC last season in total tackles. He sat out during spring drills to get his academics in order. Should he return, EMU will feature one of the best starting LB corps in the MAC. Without him, sophomore Tim Fort, who played very well during the spring, will need to contribute immediately.
• With Pierre Walker graduating there could be a big drop off in the team’s rushing (ranked 54th nationally) attack, especially as the EMU ground attacked topped 200 yards per game during their final games of 2007. Terrance Blevins has size (6-1, 226) and potential, but outside of Blevins, there is very little size at the RB position.

The Big Game(s) for Eastern Michigan:

The entire season rests on winning those early MAC West home games with Toledo (September 13) and NIU (September 27). Victories in those two contests will almost assuredly provide the Eagles the momentum for their first winning season since 1995.

Final Analysis for the 2008 EMU Eagles:

This is clearly Coach Jeff Genyk’s most talented team. Too bad the Eagles are in the stronger division and not the MAC East. This 2008 Eagle squad could do something that no EMU team has done in 13 seasons and that is to get above the .500 mark. Winning the “Michigan MAC Title” last season (beating both Western and MAC Champ Central) shows that the program is headed in the right direction and is no longer a pushover. The key to the entire season is the month of September. EMU has three home games up through September 27th – an extreme rarity. If Eastern is victorious in all three of these winnable home games (Indiana State, Toledo & NIU) then a winning season is highly probable. If they falter in one or two of these early games, a downward spiral may occur and Genyk could be gone after this fifth season of his tenure. This publication sees EMU struggling to attain a 6-6 record but it’s certainly possible with a favorable 2008 schedule.

By Nick Gerogosian
published 07.07.2008