Eastern Michigan hasn’t been to a bowl game in two years and has posted three straight sub .500 seasons.
The Eagles are looking to end both streaks this year. They still don’t appear to be contenders in the MAC, but improving on last year’s 4-8 record is certainly realistic.
Eastern Michigan Season Preview
The offense, especially with an experienced quarterback, is supposed to be the strength of the team. How the season turns out could be up to the improvement of the defense.
Last year, the Eagles allowed 29.8 points per game, which was 10th in the MAC. Conversely, the offense has enough experienced players to improve on last year’s 24.1 scoring average.
Key Players To Replace
Running back Dontae McMillan rushed for 897 yards and three touchdowns. He signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. Everett Small, who started 10 games at left tackle and two at center, has transferred to Rutgers. Fellow offensive lineman Owen Snively transferred to Boston College. Mickey Rewolinski, who made eight starts on the offense line, has graduated. Defensive lineman Donovan Green used up his eligibility after recording 55 tackles, including three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
The Quarterback Situation
Graduate Noah Kim, who had previous stops at Michigan State and Coastal Carolina, enjoyed a successful first season last year at Eastern Michigan. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Kim completed 61% of his passes for 2,817 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 209 yards and six touchdowns. With a year in the system, he has the potential to improve on last year’s statistics, and the biggest thing would be to cut down on the interceptions. A team leader, he is among EMU’s five captains.
Key Returning Players
Nick Devereaux was EMU’s leading receiver last year with 34 receptions for 510 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight end Joshua Long had 37 receptions for 357 yards and three scores. In six games, including four starts, receiver Harold Mack caught 20 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Center Nicholas Gallegos appeared in all 12 games with nine starts. Guard Joshua Anderson appeared in nine games with eight starts.
Safety Bryce Llewellyn was a second-team All-MAC selection. He led the Eagles with 94 tackles and two interceptions and shared the team lead with four pass breakups. Linebacker Barry Manning was second on the team with 73 tackles. He also shared the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker Zach Mowchan played in nine games with five starts. He recorded 43 tackles. Defensive end Carter Evans made 11 starts and recorded 37 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Makhi Gilbert was limited to five games and recorded 16 tackles. Sophomore defensive lineman Quincy Byas played in 11 games with three starts. He recorded 22 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.
Safety Jason Marshall appeared in 12 games with five starts and was third on the team with 64 tackles. Safety Juan Salas appeared in all 12 games with six starts. He made 34 tackles and recorded one interception while also averaging 9.2 yards on six punt returns.
Cornerback Caleb Dobbs had 13 tackles and one interception in 11 games, including three starts. Fellow corner Caleb Coley appeared in eight games with four starts. He had 10 tackles and four pass breakups.
Jaivian Norman played 10 games at corner with three starts. He recorded 15 tackles and one pass breakup.
Rudy Kessinger converted 17 of 23 field goal attempts, including a career-best 50-yarder. He made all 28 PATs and even had one punt for 36 yards.
Key Newcomers
Running back Braydon Bennett enters his seventh college season after previously playing for Coastal Carolina and Virginia Tech. He spent just last season at VT, where he had just four rushing attempts. During his career at Coastal Carolina, he rushed for 1,954 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Transfer offensive linemen Tyler McMillan (Illinois) and Tyler Brumfield (Oklahoma State) both didn’t play last year but are expected to be contributors this season. Elijha Payne will also boost the offensive line after playing in and starting five games last year for Delaware State.
Eastern Michigan’s 2026 Schedule
- 8/29 vs. Sacramento State
- 9/4 vs. San Jose State
- 9/12 at Michigan State
- 9/19 at Wisconsin
- 9/26 vs. Lindenwood
- 10/3 at UMass
- 10/10 at Akron
- 10/17 vs. Toledo
- 10/24 at Ohio
- 11/4 vs. Central Michigan
- 11/17 at Western Michigan
- 11/24 vs. Kent State
Bold indicates MAC contests
Eastern Michigan’s MAC Title Betting Odds
Eastern Michigan’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +1400, via BetMGM. That gives the Eagles the sixth-best odds in the MAC.
Eastern Michigan’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Eastern Michigan’s win total Over/Under is 5.5
- The Under is at +120
- The Over is at -155
Eastern Michigan Season Prediction
I like the Eagles to go over 5.5 wins, but it won’t be easy. The key is the first two games at home against MAC newcomer Sacramento State and then against San Jose State, which is not expected to be a top tier team in the Mountain West. With an experienced veteran quarterback in Kim, the offense should improve, but a key will be whether the defense can do the same.
One aspect Eastern Michigan must upgrade is run defense. Last year, the Eagles were last in the MAC in this category, allowing 232.1 rushing yards per game.
The Eagles also will need to navigate a tough late-season stretch with consecutive games against Toledo, Ohio, Central Michigan and Western Michigan, four teams all with better odds to win the MAC than Eastern Michigan.
The Eagles will likely need to upset one if not two of these teams to be bowl-eligible this year.
