It is just as well that Eastern Michigan does not have hordes of fans because their glut of close games would be troublesome for those with heart conditions.
The Eagles (formerly called the Hurons in less politically correct times. Good lord, people have not renamed the Huron River or the Huron Valley) have been the hard luck team of college football since the beginning of 2017.
Last year, the 5-7 Eagles lost 5 games by 5 points or less. This year, they have dropped 3 games by a field goal. Although, they have won several close games, their net luck has been in the category of “not much.” Perhaps their two most painful losses were the 28-27 defeat to Army in 2017 or when they lost a game in overtime at San Diego State earlier this year when the Aztecs forced overtime with a late 50-yard field goal.
Last week, their negative karma looked like it was not going away. Their biggest tormentor, Toledo, made the short trip to Ypsilanti sporting a lopsided, 34-11 series edge. EMU looked like a sure winner at halftime, galloping off to a 28-3 lead. Uh oh. The Rockets furiously rallied, closing the deficit to 28-26 in the waning seconds. Perhaps justly, the 2-point conversion, to tie the game, failed. Finally, some due karma for the Heartbreak Hurons.
This week, EMU travels to windy Muncie to take on Ball State. The experts expect yet another close game for Eastern as EMU is a narrow 3 point favorite. Yet another nail-biting finish looms on the horizon.
Trivia Question: Can you name 4 other FBS schools who have changed nicknames to be more politically correct? Answer below.
ANSWER: (Stanford, Louisiana Monroe and Arkansas State all used to be called the Indians. Miami (Ohio) used to be the Redskins)