Buffalo Bulls Face Eastern Michigan Eagles in Midweek MAC Football Clash

The Buffalo Bulls are set to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a pivotal Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup this Wednesday at Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcast live on ESPNU.

Both teams enter the matchup with differing trajectories. The Bulls, currently holding a 6-4 record and tied for fourth in the MAC, are riding high after a thrilling 51-48 overtime victory against Ball State on November 12th. In contrast, the Eagles, sitting at 5-5 and tied for eighth in the conference, suffered a significant 35-10 defeat at the hands of the Ohio Bobcats last Wednesday.

Heading into this clash, Eastern Michigan has the historical advantage, boasting a 7-4 lead in the all-time series. However, Buffalo has had recent success in matchups between the teams, winning four of the last six contests. Despite their recent struggles, the Eagles are a slight favorite, with a one-point advantage in the SportsLine consensus odds. The over/under for total points is set at 54.5.

Senior quarterback Taylor Powell leads the Eagles’ offensive efforts. Powell, who transferred from Buffalo and has been a central figure for Eastern Michigan, completed 209 of 347 passes this season for 2,242 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has also added 297 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

In contrast, Buffalo’s offense is spearheaded by senior quarterback C.J. Ogbonna. A dual-threat player, Ogbonna has thrown for 1,791 yards with 13 touchdowns against four interceptions in 2024. Additionally, he has contributed 221 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season.

The Bulls are expected to lean on their ground game, which has been efficient over recent matchups. Their most recent victories over Akron and Ball State featured an average of 46 points scored per game, with significant contributions from the running attack.

Eastern Michigan’s defense has struggled, allowing an average of 4.6 yards per rush and 6.3 yards per play. This has been evident in their recent performances, where they allowed an average of 29.7 points per game over the last three weeks, contributing to losses in three straight games.

As these teams prepare for a midweek showdown, Buffalo’s offensive momentum may prove crucial against an Eastern Michigan team looking to halt their slide. This game not only represents an opportunity for Buffalo to improve their prospects for the MAC Championship but also for Eastern Michigan to secure bowl eligibility.