It’s a non-conference matchup in the Great Lakes State. The Wyoming Cowboys travel to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles Friday night. The kickoff from Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan is set for 7:30 pm ET. The game is nationally televised on the CBS Sports Network. The current odds show Wyoming as a 3 point favorite in this contest with the over/under set at 63 points.
Wyoming got back in the win column as they downed FCS program UC Davis 45-22 last week. Eastern Michigan recorded a 37-19 victory over Charlotte on the road last week. This is the second all-time meeting between the teams. Eastern Michigan took a 48-29 win in the only other meeting, which came last year.
Wyoming took a whipping by Nebraska two weeks ago before bouncing back with a win over UC Davis. The Cowboys scored three touchdowns in a 12 minute span in the second quarter to turn a 14-9 lead into a 35-9 advantage. Wyoming did the majority of their damage in the ground game as Brian Hill rang up 207 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. The Cowboys won the total yardage battle 472-263 and won the first down battle 22-14. Wyoming forced a pair of turnovers in the game while committing one turnover. That score was run back for a score by the Aggies.
The Cowboys are 80th in the FBS in passing offense (210.7 ypg) and 39th in rushing (216 ypg) per game. Josh Allen is 46 of 76 passing for 632 yards with six touchdown passes against five interceptions. Allen is second on the team with 95 rushing yards plus two scores. Hill leads the team with 75 carries for 381 yards and five scores. Austin Conway (six carries, 87 yards) and Shaun Wick (17 carries, 60 yards) are contributors as well. Tanner Gentry is the team’s leading receiver with 17 catches for 261 yards and three scores. Jake Maulhardt is a solid secondary receiver: he has 11 grabs for 177 yards and a score. Cooper Rothe hit all 12 extra points but is 4 of 8 on field goal attempts. His long is 39 yards as he is 0 for 3 from 40 to 49 yards.
Eastern Michigan went on the road and put together a solid performance to get back on the winning path. The Eagles held a narrow 357-346 advantage in total yards in the game. Eastern Michigan did force three Charlotte turnovers while committing just one. The Eagles had three scoring drives start from beyond their 45 yard line. Eastern Michigan added a defensive touchdown on an interception return in the final seconds of the third quarter. That gave the Eagles a 34-6 advantage. Eastern Michigan didn’t look back after the opening quarter.
The Eagles are 45th in the FBS with 256.7 yards through the air while ranking 78th in rushing with 164.7 yards per game on the ground. Eastern Michigan is scoring 39.7 points while allowing 31.3 a game. The Eagles are 33rd in the nation in scoring offense. Todd Porter is 62 of 98 passing for 743 yards with six touchdown passes and four interceptions. Ian Eriksen leads the ground game with 44 carries for 206 yards and four scores. Shaq Vann chips in 166 yards and two scores while Porter has 75 rushing yards and a score. Sergio Bailey II has a team leading 12 receptions for 103 yards and a TD. Antoine Porter (10 catches, 134 yards, TD) and John Niupalau (eight catches, team high 159 yards, TD) are good secondary options. Paul Fricano hit all 15 extra points and four of six field goal attempts.
Wyoming is a 2-1 team but thanks to their blowout loss to Nebraska, they are being outscored this season. The Cowboys won both their home games but lost on the road. Eastern Michigan picked up a road victory last week. They aren’t going to bowl anyone over but the Eagles have the advantage playing at home. Allen’s inconsistency dooms Wyoming in this contest. Take the points and Eastern Michigan here. For more free college football picks, make sure you come back each and every week during the season!
Eastern Michigan is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Wyoming is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games in September and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.