The UMass Minutemen and the Eastern Michigan Eagles meet in week 3 college football action from Rynearson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

UMass Drops Back-To-Back Games

The UMass Minutemen dropped below .500 in their first home game of the season, falling to 1-2 on the year after coming up short against Miami-Ohio by a final score of 41-28. Carlos Davis has thrown for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns on 70% passing while Taisun Phommachanh has thrown for 247 yards and an interception on 54.5% passing while also rushing for 130 yards and 2 TDs this season. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams has a team-high 237 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while Anthony Simpson has a team-high 10 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown this season. On defense, Jalen Stewart leads the Minutemen with 16 total tackles while Billy Wooden leads UMass with 2 sacks. UMass’ defense as a whole has 6 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.

UMass Minutemen Team Facts

– UMass has lost 25 of its last 26 road games.
– UMass has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 11 road games in September.
– UMass has won the first quarter in four of its last five road games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
– UMass has lost the first half in 24 of its last 26 road games against non-conference opponents.
– Each of UMass’ last four games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Eastern Michigan Falls Flat Vs. Minnesota

The Eastern Michigan Eagles came out flat against Minnesota in their last game and took their first L of the season, dropping to 1-1 with a 25-6 loss to the Gophers last time out. Austin Smith has thrown for 246 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions on 58.3% passing while Samson Evans leads EMU in rushing with 125 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tanner Knue leads the Eagles in receiving with 12 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown this season. On defense, Joe Sparacio leads the Eagles with 24 total tackles while EMU’s defense as a whole has 5 sacks and an interception this season.

Eastern Michigan Eagles Team Facts

– Eastern Michigan has won each of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Rynearson Stadium.
– The underdog has covered the spread in each of Eastern Michigan’s last nine games at Rynearson Stadium.
– Eastern Michigan has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Rynearson Stadium.
– Each of Eastern Michigan’s last five September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

– Eastern Michigan ranked T16th among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.692).
– Eastern Michigan was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.833) than home winning percentage (.500) last season (min. 8 games).
– UMass ranked 35th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (4.6).
– UMass scored fewer than 15 points in six road games last season – most of any FBS team.

Chris’ Pick

I don’t love this line, but I’m leaning towards Eastern Michigan. Normally, when I don’t love the line I’d be a bit more inclined to take a shot with a team like UMass and the points, but UMass got crushed on the road for much of last season, and while giving up 59 to Auburn isn’t great, allowing 41 to Miami-Ohio is bad. I think Eastern Michigan can do enough to cover this line when all is said and done, so give me EMU laying the points here.