Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down Saturday’s noon football game against the Eastern Michigan.

Quarterbacks
Eastern Michigan took as big a blow as possible when starter Andy Schmitt went down with a torn ACL in Week 3 against Michigan. Schmitt ranks third on EMU’s career passing yardage list (5,867), tied for fourth on EMU’s career touchdown passes list (33) and is second in EMU’s career completions list (607). He completed an NCAA-record 58 passes last year against CMU, but it is now up to junior Kyle McMahon.

This is not McMahon’s first action of his career. He had 1,118 passing yards between 2007 and 2008 coming into the season, and he is more mobile than Schmitt.

Advantage: CMU. McMahon can operate the EMU offense, but LeFevour has had eight touchdowns in the past two games. LeFevour will run wild against the Eagles’ soft run defense.

Running backs

EMU running back Dwayne Priest is fourth in the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards per game (78.8). The 5-feet, 9-inch, 190-pound back has a blend of power and shiftiness that has garnered CMU’s attention.

CMU will use the mix of Paris Cotton, a shifty runner, and Bryan Schroeder, who is more north-south. Schroeder is expected to see an expanded role after missing playing time to a lower body injury.

Advantage: EMU. CMU running backs will have a prime opportunity to rack up yards against the nation’s second-worst rushing defense. But through the first five games, LeFevour has been the main rushing threat for CMU.

CMU offensive line vs. EMU front seven

Teams have not passed against the Eagles because they do not have to. EMU’s pass defense is best in the nation (89.2 yards per game), but teams do not pass often against the Eagles because they have too much success on the ground. Weakside linebacker Andre Hatchett is seventh in the MAC in total tackles, but that is expected when teams run as much against a defense as Eastern’s.

Advantage: CMU. EMU is giving up 276.8 rushing yards per game, and that trend will not end Saturday.

EMU offensive line vs. CMU front seven

The Eagles have had mixed results running the ball. Two games have yielded 50 rushing yards or less. The two other games saw totals of 172 and 179 rushing yards. When passing the ball, EMU has given up nine sacks.

CMU’s rush defense, led by linebackers Nick Bellore and Matt Berning, are third in the MAC against the run (135 yards per game). It is also third in the MAC in sacks (9).

Advantage: CMU. Expect Priest to have success running the ball, but not to the extent of Ike Nduke last week at Buffalo

CMU wide receivers vs. EMU secondary

Arizona has been the only secondary able to slow down CMU’s aerial attack. Deep secondaries at Buffalo and even Michigan State could not stop the Chippewas from spreading the ball around to different receivers. Whether it is senior Bryan Anderson, junior Antonio Brown or junior Kito Poblah, CMU has too many weapons on the perimeter.

Advantage: CMU. Do not expect the Eagles to hold CMU anywhere near 89 passing yards (EMU’s season average) even if CMU is running the ball with success.

EMU wide receivers vs. CMU secondary

EMU senior Jacory Stone is tied for ninth in the MAC with 5.75 receptions per game.

Last week, he caught eight passes for 85 yards against Temple. But CMU’s most important unit from last year is its secondary. The Chippewas have depth and continuity in the backfield from game to game.

Advantage: CMU. The Eagles will not come close to the 58 completions they had last season against CMU, but part of that is their offensive philosophy. When they do pass, they will not be nearly as successful.

Coaching

Ron English has a background which includes defensive coordinator stints at Michigan and Louisville. But whether it is because of a lack of talent or inexperience on his part, it will take a while for the Eagles to turn it around.

Advantage: CMU. CMU’s Butch Jones is 0-2 against EMU, but focus has been the theme this week. If CMU has a letdown, it is not because of preparation.

Intangibles

A home game against a winless opponent on Homecoming should favor CMU. But the Eagles have won four of the last five games in the series, including the last two. It is a rivalry which may excite EMU a little more than the Chippewas.

Advantage: Even. Everything seems to be in CMU’s favor, but the recent history certainly sways toward the Eagles’ side.

Prediction

The past five games in the series have been decided by less than a touchdown, and three of those games have needed overtime. LeFevour said to expect a close game, but it is hard to agree. This year. the close-game trend is over.

CMU 42, EMU 14

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover