Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton enters his seventh year in Ypsilanti and has transformed a football program that had suffered through 19 losing seasons and hadn't been to a bowl game in 27 years prior to his arrival. In 2016, Eastern Michigan finished 7-6 and played in its first bowl game in nearly three decades. Eastern Michigan has defeated a Power 5 opponent in three consecutive years (0-58 vs. Power 5 schools prior to Creighton's hire) and has the foundation in place to compete in the MAC.

QB Preston Hutchinson started one game in 2019, completing 31-of-36 passes for 367 yards and was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. He looked comfortable in last week's game against Kent State, completing 21-of-35 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns.

The junior gunslinger should have success throwing downfield against a Ball State secondary that allowed 9.0 yards per pass attempt in last week's 38-31 loss to Miami Ohio. Hutchinson is protected by a solid offensive line that returns 60 career starts (4 starters) and Michigan State transfer Dimitri Douglas.

Eastern Michigan's ground attack is led by Darius Boone, Jr., who averaged 7.6 yards per rush attempt against the Golden Flashes in Week One. Hutchinson also has a veteran wide receiving corp. to throw to.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 23-7 ATS in their last 30 games as underdogs and 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 games as road underdogs. Eastern Michigan is competitive on the road against a very good Kent State team and get the ATS Cover on Wednesday night.