Betting lines, game preview, and prediction for Buffalo vs. Eastern Michigan

Buffalo is still in the running for the MAC title thanks to a shocking win over Toledo. But it needs to win its next two games (Kent State is up next; that is a win) and a lot of help breaking the tie.

In any case, Pete Lembo’s first season has been great, with six wins and bowl eligibility. Now it is time to try to be the spoiler, or at least mess up Eastern Michigan’s Senior Day.

But the Eagles only need one more win to be eligible for a bowl game. They are out of the running for the MAC Championship.

It had five wins in a row for almost a month, but now it has lost three straight. It needs to win this one or the season comes down to a date at Western Michigan, where both teams are trying to make it to a bowl game.

Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPNU
Venue: Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI
Teams: Eastern Michigan (5-5), Buffalo (6-4)

Why Buffalo Will Win

What went wrong for Eastern Michigan? Having four turnovers against Ohio has not helped. The offense has been too unpredictable, and the defense can not seem to make a key stop.

In the past month, Buffalo’s passing game has gotten better, but when the running game is on, everything else just works.

The Bulls are 5-1 when they run for more than 126 yards. Eastern Michigan has given up that many yards or more against all teams except Kent State, St. Francis from the FCS, and Jacksonville State, who threw in the loss. But…

Why Eastern Michigan Will Win

Buffalo does not have any say over the time.

It moves quickly and is well balanced, but it loses the battle for possession. Eastern Michigan knows how to set the pace, and they start by getting the running game going again.

Five times in six games, the Eagles have run for more than 121 yards. But against Buffalo, getting to 200 yards is important because it helps them take control of the game. When UB gives up more than 200 yards on the ground, it is 0-4; when it doesn’t, it is 6-0.

Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan: Who Will Win?

It is not easy for Eastern Michigan to grind out runs. Kent State is the only team it got to 200 on.

Again, EMU has a reason to play better and should, while Buffalo is very inconsistent.

Eastern Michigan has been losing lately—you do not lose to Akron if everything is fine—but they also lost to Miami University, Toledo, and Ohio during that stretch.

Buffalo is not as good as those three. The Eagles will take it, even though it will not look good.