Chippewas Hope to Break Two-Year Losing Streak Against Eastern Michigan in Saturday’s Homecoming Game

Many refuse to call Eastern Michigan University a rival of Central Michigan University, but from 1989 to 2008 the Eagles have an 8-11-1 record against the Chippewas.

In addition to a very competitive series over the last twenty years, Eastern has defeated CMU four out of the last five years by a combined score of 205-199. Numerous Central fans won’t call it a rivalry but the numbers speak for themselves.

“It seems like Eastern Michigan should be a rival to Central but they’re just not,” Gregory junior Doug Sears Jr. said. “Central fans refuse to call it a rivalry because it’s just not something we get excited for; they have not reached that level.”

CMU dominates the overall series 53-27-6, but in  recent years the tide has turned considerably in Eastern Michigan’s favor. After last year’s 56 – 52 shootout Eagles’ win in Ypsilanti, Eastern is 5-3 against Central since 2000.

A point to consider is where the Eastern vs. Central game has fallen on the schedule over the last two years. In 2007 and 2008, Eastern was at the end of Central’s schedule and both games meant relatively nothing to Central other than Mid-American Conference (MAC) pride.

In 2007, Central had the MAC West title all wrapped up when they lost to Eastern 48-45. After a devastating loss to Ball State in 2008, Central traveled to Ypsilanti and lost 56-52, both results were accredited to a lack of motivation by many.

No matter the circumstances leading up to the annual Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan game, it remains a competitive series. Eastern will head into Saturday’s game with a 0-4 (0-1) record, while Central looks to extend their four game winning streak at 4-1 (2-0).

Photo Courtesy of Robert Barclay, Central Michigan University