Will Eastern Michigan football be a contender in the MAC in 2022?

How will the Eagles fare this season?

That answer all comes down to the quarterback and defensive line. The Eagles need good quarterback play and their defensive line to make more plays in the backfield to take that next step toward being a contender.

• Game 1: Eastern Kentucky (W) — The Eagles get off to a good start with a win against FCS Eastern Kentucky.
• Game 2: at Louisiana (L) — The Cajuns have a new coach, quarterback and a lot of new players on both sides of the ball that could make this a toss-up. Louisiana in a close one at home.
• Game 3: at Arizona State (W) — This is not a typo. The Sun Devils are in disarray with looming penalties from the NCAA. They have uncertainty at quarterback and a roster that the transfer portal has gutted. The Eagles win this one late.
• Game 4: Buffalo (W) — The Bulls are still trying to find their way post Lance Leipold. Eagles win at home.
• Game 5: UMass (W) — Easy win for the Eagles against one of the worst teams in FBS.
• Game 6: at Western Michigan (W) — This was a close game last season in Ypsilanti. The Broncos are breaking in a new quarterback this season. Eagles win close, again.
• Game 7: Northern Illinois (L) — The Huskies might have the best MAC quarterback. Rocky Lombardi is proof of the benefit of a change in scenery. Eagles can’t stop the run, and that’s why the Huskies win.
• Game 8: at Ball State (W) — Cardinals experience life without Drew Plitt. The Eagles get their win back on the road.
• Game 9: Toledo (W) — This is a pick ’em game. The Rockets usually lose a game they shouldn’t, and the Eagles win one they shouldn’t. This one could go either way.
• Game 10: at Akron (W) — The Zips play better but don’t yet have the players under first-year head coach Joe Moorehead.
• Game 11: at Kent State (L) — Sean Lewis and the Golden Flashes will compete for the MAC title this season.
• Game 12: Central Michigan (L) — The end of the schedule is Eastern’s undoing. They play the conference’s best running back in their home finale.

Prediction: 8-4, 5-3 MAC

These predictions have a high variance, but that’s how Eastern Michigan plays. They are outmatched virtually every game, but Creighton has them punching above their weight consistently. They also play above their numbers because they don’t turn the ball over or commit bad penalties.