This team is going to be better than they have been in previous years. Now I’m not talking about bowl contention, but I do think they will be more competitive in the MAC this year. Andy Schmitt’s back and he is a big quarterback at 6’4". Last year he threw for 2,644 and 15 touchdowns with 8 picks. Those numbers will improve with 7 receivers returning with game experience including Jacory Stone and Josh Leduc is a strong tight end. Also, the offensive line returns 4 guys that have had either started or have game experience. On defense there are some questions, linebackers will be some what of a problem with the departure of Daniel Holtzclaw but the defensive line is bringing in Junior College transfer to fill the spots and the secondary is returning 3 starters. Yes, this is a unit that gave up 27 touchdowns through the air, however, you must remember Eastern Mich is playing Army, a notorious running team.
Army
Army’s offense has a lot of work to do they only threw 3, yes only 3, touchdown passes last year and only attempted 10 passes per game. In a normal college football game you usually play in between 65-70 snaps that means one out of every 7 offensive plays they tried to throw the ball. That’s horrible. Army has a new coach in from Cal Poly. While he was there they ran the triple option to perfection. However, this isn't Cal Poly and Army isn’t very good. In college when you play against a team that runs this sort of offense in the middle of the season it can be very difficult to prepare for because it has a lot of motions and fakes. But seeing that Eastern Michigan has been preparing all summer for this I think they get the job done. Also there is not one projected offensive lineman on Army’s team who has started a game.
Final Thoughts
Eastern Michigan is the better team. This is also week 1 Eastern Michigan is going to be excited to play especially at home. I like this game because Army will not be able to expose Eastern Michigan’s secondary because they can’t throw the ball at all. And Eastern Michigan's offense will be able to score at will against the weak Army 'D'.
Army 17 Eastern Michigan 31
--
15 dime - Illinois -6.5
Illinois
This is a very important season for Ron Zook. This Illinois team needs to play well early. On offense there isn’t much of a problem, they have probably the second best WR unit in the nation behind only the Irish. Daniel Dufrene and Jason Ford will both take carries and are both capable of breaking the game open. Also having Dufrene back as a senior I think is very important. The offensive line returns three starters from last year’s team. And when the Juice is on he’s as good as anyone. He's entering his senior season, it’s time to grow up and I think he will with a lot of the supporting cast back. The defensive unit is a little bit of a mystery. Martez Wilson returns but is going to play middle and they return three starters in the secondary. I’m very interested in how the front seven will play as a lot of guys on defense have game experience but NO returning starters. It is very important for the Illini to stop the run this year.
Missouri
On offense a ton of questions will be answered as Blaine Gabbert will take the reigns from Chase Daniel. Blaine will be starting his first collegiate football game. Jeremy Maclin is not here anymore, who is going to be their down field threat? Derrick Washington is back at running back and he is a tough player runs hard and is physical. But he's only one player. The offensive line returns three starters and that is a plus. I know how Missouri is going to come out -- they are going to run first and throw second -- they are not going to put a lot of pressure on Gabbert. I just do not see this offense being as explosive as they were last year. Onto the defense... Sean Weatherspoon is one of the best if not the best linebacker in the nation. But they only return four starters return on a defense that was BRUTAL against the pass last year. This secondary gave up on average of 286.6 yards through the air, good enough for dead last in the Big XII.
Final Thoughts
Illinois' offense has the potential to put up a lot of points this year and it's so important that the Illini get off to a fast start. The defense is a question but if they can clamp down on the run early, I think that Illinois can jump out to a nice lead. Last year Jeremy Maclin had 234 all purpose yards and had 2 scores on special teams, a punt for 45 yards and a kickoff for 99 yards. HE IS GONE. I just cannot see Missouri winning this game. Missouri has to replace Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, Chase Coffman, Ziggy Hood, William Moore and Stryker Sulak. All have moved on to the NFL. Not to mention Missouri has to replace three players in the defensive backfield and they were BAD. Also, Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel said in an interview that he will play 5 true freshman on Saturday. That doesn’t sound good at all.
Jim Ashland NCAAF Week 1
Reply With Quote