Ohio State vs Eastern Michigan Preview

Ohio State is getting ready to play Eastern Michigan Saturday in Ohio Stadium at 3:30pm (ABC). Eastern Michigan has lost three games so far this year and Ohio State is favored heavily against the Eagles. Eastern Michigan lost two early season games by close margins to Miami (OH) and Army. But were blown out last weekend by Central Michigan 14-52. Their leading rusher is Dwayne Priest who has a net 199 yards rushing and three touchdowns so far through three games.

By Steve Patterson

Ohio State has had two impressive performances so far this year against smaller conference teams with a 45-7 win over Marshall and a 43-7 win last week against Ohio University. Against the Bobcats of Ohio, Terrelle Pryor completed 16 straight passes in the first half with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 245 yards for the day. Dan Herron has proved effective running the ball the last two games out, with 27 yards and 2 touchdowns against Ohio last Saturday.

The Eagles are able to keep defenders off their quarterback and hope to continue allowing only 2 sacks a game against the dominate Silver Bullets this week. Their coach Ron English has had a rough start with a career record of 0-15 with Eastern Michigan. The combination of Dwayne Priest at tailback and Alex Gillett at quarterback proved effective at times last year. Priest ran for 7 touchdowns on the year while Gillett passed for an additional 3 touchdowns.

Eastern Michigan’s best attribute is it passing defense, currently ranked 31st in the country. Ohio State will hope to continue passing the ball well as it has done so far this year through three home game wins. Ohio State’s pass offense is ranked the 33rd best in the country and averages 254 yards a game.

This is the first meeting between the two teams and reports are that tickets are available mid-way through Friday afternoon.