Eastern Michigan

Last year: 1-11 (1-7 MAC West)

Players:
Returning starters: seven offense, nine defense
Most exciting: Sr. DT Jason Jones
Mr. Reliable: Soph. P Zach Johnson
Hard hitter: Jr. MLB Daniel Holtzclaw
Breakout season: Sr. CB Blake Smith
Impact frosh: DB Marcus English, QB Jason Williams, RB Maurice Goodrum

Opener: Saturday at Pittsburgh
MAC Opener: Sept. 8 at Ball State
Prediction: 3-9 (2-6 MAC)

Top Detroiters: Cortland Selman, Jr. LB (Country Day); Corey Everson, Soph. DB (Mumford); Pierre Walker, Sr. TB (Central); Terrence Blevins, Jr. TB (Denby); Aaron Glenn, Sr. DB (Denby); Spenser Smith, Jr. DL (Mackenzie); Maurice Goodrum, Sr. TB (Henry Ford); T.J. Lang, Jr. OL (Brother Rice); Allan Cozart, Jr. DL (Mumford); Reggie Brown, Jr. WR (Oak Park); Paul Galloway, Fr. LB (Shrine)

Fast fact: EMU’s lone postseason appearance was a 30-27 win over San Jose State in the 1987 California Bowl.

Click through for the outlook …Eastern Michigan Outlook:

It’s the fourth year of head coach Jeff Genyk’s rebuilding effort, and Eastern Michigan backers are anxious for progress.
Genyk has compiled a 9-25 record over his first three seasons and of those nine wins, it’s hard to pinpoint a signature win.
The Eagles upset Western Michigan on the road and topped Central Michigan 61-58 in quadruple overtime during Genyk’s first season.
Since then, success has been hard to come by, especially last year as the Eagles suffered through a tough 1-11 campaign. Six losses came by eight points or fewer.
Now, Genyk finally has a team comprised of entirely his own players, which theoretically should be a positive. Many around Ypsilanti, however, have questioned his recruiting, both in- and out-of-state.
The Eagles have struggled to attract top-notch MAC talent and have posted atrocious attendance numbers.
Their schedule this year isn’t favorable, with trips to Pittsburgh, Michigan and Vanderbilt in addition to a Friday game with Northwestern at Ford Field.
While the Eagles return 16 starters (tied for second-most in the conference), signs are not looking position when EMU’s most highly-touted player is punter Zach Johnson, a semifinalist for the Ray Guy award last season.
Sophomore quarterback Andy Schmitt returns after splitting time last year with Tyler Jones. Senior running back Pierre Walker is a converted safety. The offense will have to develop two new starters at receiver and two on the line.
The EMU defense will be led by senior defensive tackle Jason Jones, and the entire starting secondary returns.