After nearly sending me to Keller Army Hospital following the win over Miami-Ohio, the Black Knights are set to take on Eastern Michigan Eagles in Ypsilanti, Michigan. That is pronounced IP-SILL-ANN-TEE for all of us that aren’t from the midwest…yes I had Google it #NotAshamed.

This is the ninth all time meeting between the Eagles and the Black Knights. Army leads the series 7-1, with EMU’s lone win coming in 2012 in a shootout at Rynearson Stadium. Speaking of their “Home Turf,” it is important to know that it is a unique color. Don’t be surprised when you tune in Saturday. No…your TV is not messed up.

So I’m not going to do much of a preview in this article since our new Senior Writer, Danno Cabeza, already wrote an outstanding preview article, which you should check out…Now I don’t want to hear any whining Cadet! You took 23 credit hours per semester at the Academy, so don’t tell me you can’t read a few 3 minute articles per week! Aren’t you required to have a news article to report to your Cadet Sergeant each day anyways? As Football for Football Articles are approved to report to SGT Snuffy!

Additionally, I wanted to remind you that the Football season only lasts a few months each year, so enjoy it while it’s here. It’s also worth noting that the Army Team is having one of the best three year stretches that you are ever going to see. You are actually witnessing history in the Jeff Monken era. Safety Brief Complete! Now here are my Keys to Victory this week against EMU.

Keys to Victory:

1. Stop Tyler Wiegers – The Iowa Grad Transfer is hyper accurate, throwing for an astonishing 107/161 for 1,268 yards (66.5%). We need to slow him down and hold Eastern Michigan to less than 250 yards. EMU has gained about 2/3 of their offensive yardage through the air.
2. Run Like the Army Equipment Truck – We have proven that winning is easier when we are successful running. It eats time off the clock and wears down the opposing defense while resting ours. More exciting than a class drop is the fact that EMU really struggles against the run. They give up 213.6 yards/game, which ranks 121st in FBS college football. Better than that is their opponents are averaging 5.0 yards/carry. Let’s rush for 350+ Yards boys.
   

   On, Brave Old Army Trucking Team, On To The Highway; Fight On To Ypsilanti, For That’s The Fearless Army Trucking Way. pic.twitter.com/PuHpd78qed

   — Nick Determan (@nickdeterman) October 25, 2018

3. 3 Sacks by the Bad Boys – Probably a big reasons why the Eagles have been on the wrong side of so many close games is that they have let Wiegers take an absolute beating this season. He has been sacked 17 times in 8 appearances with maybe 5 starts.
4. Bring out the Turnover Chain – We are 2-0 this season when our opponent commits more turnovers. Coach Monken overall record in this situation is 17-4. In addition to the sacks, Bateman’s Bad Boys need to generate at least one turnover to slow down the Eagles Offense.
   https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo9LOspHAv5/?hl=en&taken-by=asforfootball

Final Word and Prediction:

Eastern will a tough opponent, but we should (will) win. They have played in the most one scores games in the country this year. Their four losses have been to #RIPBuffalo, Stoic Rocky Long’s San Diego State, Western Michigan, and Northern Illinois. Those teams are a combined 23-7. The Eagles clearly have the ability to win games, but have just come out on the wrong side of several games this season. Reminds me of the 2015 Army team that went 2-10, losing 6 games by something like 21 points.  If you follow As For Football or any of our team members on Twitter you already know that we have locked in the Black Knights at +2 against the Eagles. The line is currently a pick with neither team favored.

On some sports books you may still be able to get +0.5 point. Take it! Tune in after the game for the superlatives article and in case you missed last week’s superlatives earned against Fake Miami, make sure to check them out.

Beat Eastern Michigan. Rest.