UMASS vs Eastern Michigan Prediction - College Football Picks 9/16/23

The UMass Minutemen and Eastern Michigan Eagles face off on Saturday in a Week 3 college football showdown at Rynearson Stadium. 

Can the UMASS Defense Step Up?

Umass has already played three games so far this season, and they have looked good with the offense for the most part, but the defense has been an issue, and that’s the biggest reason for their 1-2 victory. In the last game against Miami of Ohio, UMass was down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and they weren’t able to bounce back the rest of the game. Quarterback Carlos Davis threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh had to miss the game and it’s unclear if he’s going to be able to go here. If he can’t go it should be Davis that starts again and he’s already proven that he can help move the ball up and down the field. 

UMass Betting Trends

• Massachusetts has lost 22 of its last 23 road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Massachusetts has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 11 September games as a road underdog.
• Massachusetts has lost the first half in 23 of its last 26 games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Massachusetts' last four games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Eastern Michigan Needs to Move the Ball

Eastern Michigan comes into this game with a 1-1 record, and they are going to try and bounce back with the offense. In the first game, Eastern Michigan was able to knock off Howard 33-23. Austin Smith completed 19 of his 28 passes for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In the last game against Minnesota though, the offense only scored six points and that led to the 19 point defeat. Smith completed 9 of his 20 passes 71 yards and an interception. Minnesota does have a good defense, but Eastern Michigan needs to do a better job of moving the ball in this game.