Eastern Michigan Football: Preview, predictions for 2019 season

By Dante Pryor | Jul 16, 2019

MONTGOMERY, AL - DECEMBER 15: Mike Glass III #9 of the Eastern Michigan Eagles throws the ball during the first half of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Cramton Bowl on December 15, 2018 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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OXFORD, OH – NOVEMBER 15: Maxx Crosby #92 of the Eastern Michigan Eagles sacks Gus Ragland #14 of the Miami Ohio Redhawks during the second half at Yager Stadium on November 15, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Previewing the defense

When you play a lot of close games, you need a defense to keep you in them when your offense doesn’t score. The Eagles had just that leading the MAC in both total defense and scoring defense.

However, building a team from the ground up often means you have years where you have a lot of senior starters. That was the case for the Eagles, and they are going to have to replace six senior starters on defense and Maxx Crosby who left early for the NFL.

Not only do they lose Crosby, who led them in sacks, they also lose Jeremiah Harris who was second on the team in that category. They are going to have to lean on a lot of young guys to step up and make plays.

They are thin at linebacker, but have some good JUCO players that could add to what might be a rotation in their 4-2-5 scheme. The secondary should be solid led by veterans Vince Calhoun and Brady Hoying.

If they can replace the 12 sacks from Crosby and Harris, the secondary should hold up in a conference that likes to throw the ball a lot.

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