The Eastern Michigan Eagles and Buffalo Bulls are set to face off on the turf at UB Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ and kickoff for this MAC game is set for 6:00 p.m. ET. These two MAC foes did not get a chance to play each other last year.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Buffalo Bulls Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Buffalo has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 5 points. The Eagles are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Bulls are -220. If one squad can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it would likely create a worthy betting opportunity in-game.
The game’s opening line was -3, but square bettors are hammering the Bulls.
Each of these teams has posted a good return this year as the Eagles have gained 5.5 units and the Bulls are ahead 1.6 units.
The Eagles are 2-0 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any MAC competition yet. The Bulls are 2-0 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Eagles are looking to remain unbeaten following a 20-19 win over Purdue last week. the Eagles completed 22-of-34 passes for 347 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tyler Wiegers went 20-for-28 for 312 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Mike Glass III completed two-of-five for 35 yards. Wiegers (-6 rushing yards on nine attempts) also mounted the ground attack. Blake Banham (six receptions, 99 yards) and Arthur Jackson III (six catches, 84 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Buffalo just earned a 36-29 win over Temple. The team’s defense allowed the Owls to run for 115 yards on 29 rush attempts. Ryquell Armstead had a good outing in the defeat for Temple, recording 107 rushing yards on 14 attempts. For Buffalo, Tyree Jackson completed 26-of-45 passes for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Kevin Marks (138 yards on 25 rush attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the running game as Anthony Johnson (six receptions, 76 yards, one TD) and K.J. Osborn (six catches, 58 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Eastern Michigan has run the ball on 53.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Buffalo has an overall rush percentage of 51.3 percent. The Eagles have rushed for 120 yards per game and have three touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bulls are averaging 153 rush yards per game and have three total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers can translate to this game, then the Bulls should hold an advantage in terms of efficiency in the ground game, as their backfield has generated 3.9 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.8 YPC to opponents. The Eagles have recorded 3.4 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 6.9 to opponents.
The Eagles offensive scheme has logged 325 yards/contest through the air overall and has six passing TDs so far. The Bulls have put up 238 pass yards per game and have nine total pass scores.
Defensively, Eastern Michigan has allowed 264 rush yards and 167 pass yards per game. The Buffalo D has given up 158 yards per game to opposing passers and 157.0 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Eagles have given up an ANY/A of 3.81 to opposing QBs, while the Bulls are allowing an ANY/A of 3.69.
Offensively, Wiegers is up to 312 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 71 percent of his 28 attempts with one passing scores and one interception. He has a sparkling 7.94 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 10.00 over the past two outings.
Look for Wiegers to attack all areas of the Buffalo secondary. Blake Banham (81 receiving yards), Arthur Jackson III (84 yards) and Mathew Sexton (81 yards, one TD) have all been heavily involved recently.
Tyree Jackson has completed 26-of-45 passes for 275 yards, three TDs and one INT for Buffalo. His ANY/A stands at 6.44 for the season and 8.32 across his past two outings.
Kevin Marks (138 rushing yards, two rush TDs this season), Anthony Johnson (76 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and K.J. Osborn (58 receiving yards) have each played key roles lately. The trio’s combined for 410 total yards and six touchdowns over the last two games.
Betting Prediction: Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Buffalo Bulls
SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Eagles offense has recorded two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulls have accounted for zero such plays.
The Eastern Michigan defense has allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards, while Buffalo has given up two such plays.
Both defenses have produced one rushing play of 20+ yards. The Eastern Michigan offense has recorded seven running plays of 10+ yards while Buffalo has accounted for 10 such plays.
The Eagles defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulls have given up two such runs.
The Eastern Michigan defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks four times this season. Buffalo has registered three sacks.
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