It's been over a month since we've seen this Eastern Michigan Eagles team play a game over at Rynearson Stadium. Since the home-opening victory over Morgan State, the Eagles dropped four straight on the road. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bulls fell to 3-3 on the season after their loss against Bowling Green last week.
The Bulls Still Have Joe Licata
Turns out, Licata is the most accurate quarterback in the MAC as of now. First in the conference, Licata has completed 66 percent of his passes with the third-most completions (131), too. The emergence of Ron Willoughby, who only had three receptions last year and now leads the Bulls with 28 receptions for 356 yards. He's also caught five of Licata's 15 touchdown passes.
Yeah, it's safe to say that he's doing just fine without Alex Neutz.
The Eagles Need Rob Bolden to Step Up
It's become very clear that this is Rob Bolden's offense now. If it's rust, then, well, yeah I don't know. I get that there are kinks to work out and Bolden came into the program so late, but the season isn't slowing down for anybody. The Bulls have the 7th ranked passing defense in the MAC, allowing 264 yards through the air per game.
Bolden seems to really like throwing to Tyler Allen in this offense. Maybe he'll continue to be the hot target on this offense as their relationship should progress.
Anthone Taylor is Good
Branden Oliver is gone, but that hasn't been much of a setback. Taylor currently leads the MAC with 798 yards off of 159 carries (5.0 yards per carry). He's second in the MAC with nine rushing touchdowns, three behind Jarvion Franklin, who has been putting up nation-high statistics. In his last two games, Taylor has picked up 441 rushing yards, having over 200 yards on the ground in both events. Franklin has only reached 200 rushing yards in a game once this season.
EMU is third from last in the MAC in rushing yards given up with 1,166.
Third Down
These teams are on opposite ends here. Buffalo is third in MAC with a third down conversion rate of 45.7 percent. Eastern Michigan is third from last in the MAC with 32.1 percent.
FWIW- Buffalo is third in the MAC in scoring (34 ppg) while the Eagles are tied for last with Kent State (10.8).
Prediction
Attendance north of 400, Buffalo wins 46-24.