Gophers vs. Eastern Michigan: 5 things you can count on
The Minnesota Gophers will look to improve to 2-0 on the season when they host Eastern Michigan at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
Minnesota is coming off a last-second win over Nebraska and while they wound up in the left-hand column, there are several areas to shore up.
Here are five things you can count on when the Gophers take the field on Saturday night.
1. A better performance from the running game
A trademark of P.J. Fleck's tenure with the Gophers has been a strong running game, but that didn't show up in last week's win over the Cornhuskers.
Minnesota ran for just 58 yards on 17 carries against Nebraska and their offensive line – which includes three new starters – struggled to get going against the Huskers' 3-3-5 defense.
The Gophers should have an easier time running the ball against Eastern Michigan as the Eagles allowed 156.1 rushing yards per game last season and 239 rushing yards to FCS opponent Howard last week.
After losing Mohammed Ibrahim due to graduation, Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler and the rest of the Gophers backfield should get right against The Eagles.
2. A smashmouth game
If you're a fan of the running game, Saturday's game is going to be for you.
The Eagles have a strong running game led by Samson Evans, who ran for 1,166 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Evans didn't have a strong Week 1 against Howard, running for 52 yards on 16 carries but the Eagles will look to give him the ball along with shifty change-of-pace running back Jaylon Jackson.
A bigger concern for the Gophers may be defending dual-threat quarterback Austin Smith. Smith doesn't have the athleticism that Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims presented last week but Sims still ran for 91 yards on 18 carries and could be something the Eagles look to exploit.
Whoever gets the ball, it's clear they're going to get it on the ground. The Eagles posted a 25 percent passing gown success rate against Campbell and ranked in the 49th percentile in that metric last season. If the Eagles establish an early lead, it could be a problem for the Gophers.
3. Special teams playing a key role
Normally, a kick or a punt would be a good time to run to the fridge to grab a beverage but they could play a key role in who comes out on top Saturday night.
Eastern Michigan's special teams are a top-shelf unit that returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in last week's win over Howard. While Jackson got loose on an 84-yard touchdown return Hamze El-Zayat also went 96 yards to the house to give the Eagles a boost.
Meanwhile, the Gophers allowed a 63-yard kick return to Rahmir Johnson and looked inconsistent in last week's win over Nebraska. While Dragan Keisch was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after knocking down a 47-yard game-winner, Minnesota will need a better overall effort on special teams to beat the Eagles.
4. Dark mode uniforms
There are other aspects we could go into such as the passing game, which will look to build off Athan Kaliakmanis throwing for 196 yards, a touchdown and an interception a week ago and the continued emergence of the Gophers receiving core which includes Daniel Jackson (9 catches, 68 yards, TD) and Corey Crooms Jr. (7 catches, 63 yards).
But college football is all about the pageantry and the Gophers are buying in with their dark mode uniforms.
The jersey looks the same to the ones the Gophers have worn in past seasons but this is the first time they've gone with a black helmet. This could be a footnote to those watching the game, but it could also be a win for recruits considering coming to Minnesota.
5. A Gopher victory
In 2021, the Gophers rolled into a cakewalk matchup with Bowling Green. Not many expected the Gophers to lose that day but the Falcons pulled off a shocking 14-10 upset in Minneapolis.
This team is much different than the one that was stunned by the Falcons but the message remained. The Eagles are an opponent that shouldn't intimidate the Gophers and as 20.5-point favorites, Minnesota should be able to handle their business on Saturday night.
With a difficult matchup at North Carolina next week, Saturday's game is one the Gophers need to win if they plan on being a competitive team this season.
Prediction: Gophers 34, Eastern Michigan 17
