Can Eastern Michigan Football get to its third straight bowl game?

How many games will Eastern Michigan football win this fall?

Eastern Michigan football will be in the middle of the MAC Championship race in 2023. They are replacing a good quarterback, but Austin Smith has been in the program for three years, so he knows the system. Trips to Northern Illinois, Buffalo, and Toledo are tricky, but some of their tougher games are on the steel field of The Factory.

9/1 vs. Howard, W: It should be a solid win against a low-level FCS opponent.

9/9 at Minnesota, L: This is more of a 50/50 game than people might think. The Gophers are breaking in a new quarterback and running back, but their size along the offensive line gives them a win. This one is closer than the experts might think.

9/16 vs. UMass, W: Another easy win against one of the worst programs in the Power Five.

9/23 at Jacksonville State, W: I trust Eastern’s offense against Jacksonville State’s defense in this game.

9/30 at Central Michigan, W: This will be a good game, but the Chippewas are without Lew Nichols, and the defense hasn’t been very good.

10/7 vs. Ball State, W: Eastern won on the road in Muncie. They’ll win at home this year.

10/14 vs. Kent State, W: Fewer teams were gutted in the portal worse than the Golden Flashes. Eastern should have no problem at home in this game.

10/21 at Northern Illinois, L: This road trip is always tough. The Huskies are always ready to play. NIU put the boots on the Eagles last year. Northern wins in a closer game this year.

10/28 vs. Western Michigan, W: The Broncos gave up 45 points at home to the Eagles last year. Now they travel to Ypsilanti. The Eagles win again.

11/8 at Toledo, W: Creighton and the Eagles have this game circled on their schedule. Last season’s loss cost them the MAC title. Dequan Finn returns, but the Eagles close the deal and win the game.

11/14 vs. Akron, W: Joe Moorehead and the Zips are still building at Akron. Eastern should win this one.

11/21 at Buffalo, L: The Eagles were winning this game before Buffalo scored 20 unanswered points, and the game got away. This is a tough way to end the season, but the Bulls win a close game.

Prediction: 9-4, 6-2 MAC

Ball State, Toledo, and Western Michigan could be tricky games. If the secondary holds up, and the quarterback plays well, the Eagles could play for the MAC Championship.