| MATCHUP | Sacramento State Hornets | Eastern Michigan Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +9.5 -115 | -9.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | +275 | -345 |
| Total | Over 53.5 (-115) | Under 53.5 (-105) |
| Where | Eastern Michigan Stadium | |
| When | Saturday, August 29, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Sacramento State Hornets and the Eastern Michigan Eagles meet in week 0 college football action at Rynearson Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Sacramento State Hornets vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Prediction.
Sacramento State Hornets Team Preview
The Sacramento State Hornets come into the 2026 campaign making their debut at the FBS level after going 7-5 in 2025, including 5-3 in Big Sky Conference play. This is a Hornets team that’s basically starting from scratch with a new staff that barely got any notice that they’d be making the jump to FBS late in the offseason. Carson Conklin transfers in from Fresno State to take over under center for the Hornets, but that’s about all we know for the Hornets, as 9 of their top 10 snap counts on offense from last year are gone except for TE Jordan Williams, who recorded 11 catches last season.
On the other side, Sac State’s defense brings back a fair amount of production, but it still leaves a lot to be desired at that level to have any sustained success, even in the up-and-down MAC, in 2026.
Eastern Michigan Eagles Team Preview
The Eastern Michigan Eagles come into the 2026 campaign off of a 4-8 mark in 2025, finishing 3-5 in MAC conference play. The good news for coach Chris Creighton is that EMU is the only MAC team in the top-25 in FBS in terms of returning production, including starting QB Noah Kim, who could very well be a top-2 or top-3 QB in the MAC in 2026. Elsewhere in the offense, EMU has to replace 1,000-yard rusher Dontae McMillan, who is now a Baltimore Raven, but some talented transfers are coming in to help the cause in Ypsilanti.
On defense, Bryce Llewellyn is back to lead an influx of returning seniors, but the defensive line is where the most question marks sit in 2026. Only time will tell if EMU can finally make their first MAC title game (which sounds crazy to say, but it’s true).
Why the Eastern Michigan Eagles will win
- Eastern Michigan has won five of its last six games in August.
- Eastern Michigan has covered the spread in four of its last five home games.
- Eastern Michigan has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
Why the Sacramento State Hornets will win
- Eastern Michigan has lost 10 of its last 13 games against conference opponents.
- The road team has won three of Eastern Michigan’s last four games.
- Eastern Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five home openers as a favorite.
- The underdog has covered the spread in six of Eastern Michigan’s last eight games at Rynearson Stadium.
- Eastern Michigan has lost the first half in four of its last five games as a favorite.
Total Points Facts
- Four of Eastern Michigan’s last five games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Eastern Michigan Eagles Player Prop Facts
- Noah Kim ranked 6th amongst qualified players for sack percentage (2.7%) last season.
Sacramento State Hornets Player Prop Facts
- Ellijah Washington ranked 3rd in the Pac-12 Conference for kick return yards (182) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Eastern Michigan ranked 136th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game last season (232.1).
- Eastern Michigan ranked 3rd among FBS teams for red zone percentage last season (94.6).
Sacramento State Hornets vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Prediction
I’m on EMU here. Eastern Michigan has played in a ton of close games under Chris Creighton, but I think my main concern for Eastern Michigan will come down the road against teams that are more of the Eagles’ caliber. Sacramento State just has too many problems to figure out going into game one for me to feel comfortable backing them here. In a game that I see ending up something in the area of 28-17, I’ll lay the points with Eastern Michigan here.