For Eastern Michigan this is a chance to get the season going in the right direction and I believe Chris Creighton is an excellent coach and he now has an experience QB in Reggie Bell, who can beat you with his feet and through the air. Old Dominion has to replace 4 guys in their front 7 on defense and were not good on defense to begin with last year. I expect Eastern Mich to be able to stay in this game and have a chance to win it late. In last year's game on the road at Old Dominion they were down just 10-3 in the 4th before allowing a punt return for a TD. They also fumbled it 5 times int hat game, and were -18 in turnover margin. The Philsteele laws say that a team wit double digit negative TO margin improves the next year 79% of the time dating back to 1991. They have all the signs of that happening.
Eastern Mich has depth issues and special teams issues for sure, but Old Dominion's special teams have not been great either 127th last year, and I don't see Eastern Michigan's depth issues being a factor in week 1. Old Dominion also is looking ahead to week 2 when they face Norfolk State at home, whose campus is 5 miles away. I think there is an excellent chance Eastern Mich can steal this game or at least cover the spread.
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