Eastern Michigan at Kentucky - 2025 Matchup Preview
Eastern Michigan logo   Eastern Michigan Eagles at Kentucky Wildcats  Kentucky logo
Saturday, September 13th 2025 (7:30 PM EDT)
Kentucky -26.5 (49.5) (-4000)  Open: 0.0
Kentucky 48 - Eastern Michigan: 23

 
Eagles (4 - 8) (7 - 4 - 1)
Coach Chris Creighton (57 - 75)
Avg Score : 24 - 30 (25 - 35 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#98)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
UK 3rd straight Home Game
Our Line: Kentucky -19.5  (SP+ UK -17)

Projected Score: EMU: 16 - UK: 36 (52)
UK Win prob: 97% | Cover: 51%
EMU Travel: 296 miles
Wildcats (5 - 7) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Mark Stoops (77 - 73)
Avg Score : 23 - 26 (32 - 23 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 6) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
 
Eastern Michigan's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Eastern Michigan at Texas State+14.058.5L 27 - 52ON
Sat 9/6 Eastern Michigan vs Long Island University-22.554.5L 23 - 28UN
Sat 9/13 Eastern Michigan at Kentucky+26.549.5L 23 - 48OY
Sat 9/20 Eastern Michigan vs Louisiana+2.551.5W 34 - 31OY
Sat 9/27 Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan+3.055.5L 13 - 24UN
Sat 10/4 Eastern Michigan at Buffalo+9.553.5L 30 - 31OY
Sat 10/11 Eastern Michigan vs Northern Illinois+1.548.5W 16 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 Eastern Michigan at Miami (OH)+12.547.5L 30 - 44ON
Sat 10/25 Eastern Michigan vs Ohio+11.560.5L 21 - 28UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Eastern Michigan vs Bowling Green-3.049.5W 27 - 21UY
Sat 11/15 Eastern Michigan at Ball State-2.548.5W 24 - 9UY
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/25 Eastern Michigan vs Western Michigan+10.049.0L 21 - 31OY

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Eastern Michigan's Schedule
Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kentucky vs Toledo-10.048.5W 24 - 16UN
Sat 9/6 Kentucky vs Ole Miss+8.051.5L 23 - 30OY
Sat 9/13 Kentucky vs Eastern Michigan-26.549.5W 48 - 23ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Kentucky at South Carolina+5.546.5L 13 - 35ON
Sat 10/4 Kentucky at Georgia+19.548.5L 14 - 35ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Kentucky vs Texas+12.545.5L 13 - 16UY
Sat 10/25 Kentucky vs Tennessee+7.555.5L 34 - 56ON
Sat 11/1 Kentucky at Auburn+11.544.5W 10 - 3UY
Sat 11/8 Kentucky vs Florida+4.544.5W 38 - 7OY
Sat 11/15 Kentucky vs Tennessee Tech-22.552.5W 42 - 10UY
Sat 11/22 Kentucky at Vanderbilt+7.053.5L 17 - 45ON
Sat 11/29 Kentucky at Louisville+1.045.5L 0 - 41UN

Total: Elite: 7, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 6, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kentucky's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
EMU#117 (.09)42% (74)24.143% (87)2.98 (82)14242% (66)2353.47 (105)#83 (.19)45% (105)29.845% (84)46% (116)3.49 (38)62.41.41.3
UK#118 (.09)41% (89)2347% (31)3.02 (71)14635% (123)1853.49 (104)#62 (.16)46% (111)26.449% (122)42% (75)3.44 (31)52.11.91.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
EMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UK0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
EMU Offense1224.124.542.2%3.471.4213781422353.647%53%43%42%19%.09
UK Defense1226.422.646%3.441.3 - - - - - 58%42%49%42%17%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
EMU Defense1229.834.745%3.491.3 - - - - - 53%46%45%46%19%.19
UK Offense122331.741.5%3.491.919331146185454%46%47%35%19%.09

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Eastern Michigan1231:0621.341%55%6.562.41.41.35.92.1129.2
Kentucky1229:3219.434%44%6.352.11.91.35.61.8227
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
EMU Offense1247% (90)43% (87)39.3142.33.617 (84).01 (119)2.98 (82)57% (131)11% (91)0.85 (122)
UK Defense1258% (129)49% (122) - - - - .14 (75)3 (67)78% (101)12% (32)0.88 (24)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
EMU Defense1253% (102)45% (84) - - - - .09 (51)3.07 (82)60% (10)14% (6)0.9 (34)
UK Offense1254% (37)47% (31)36.7146.4411 (116).05 (107)3.02 (71)73% (71)13% (120)0.73 (133)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
EMU Offense1253% (44)42% (66)20.734.6235.36.811.417 (79)10 (63).16 (105)1.5 (116)32% (70)34% (36).36 (59)8% (124)2 (88)
UK Defense1242% (7)42% (75) - - - - - - 10 (66).19 (46)1.5 (27)29% (109)31% (83).3 (68)5% (95)2 (61)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
EMU Defense1246% (31)46% (116) - - - - - - 5 (117).36 (117)1.7 (100)28% (119)34% (112).32 (77)5% (107)1.8 (23)
UK Offense1246% (97)35% (123)13.926184.87.113.315 (98)17 (127).13 (117)1.9 (10)33% (92)28% (104).18 (114)7% (103)2.1 (46)

Eastern Michigan's Power Ratings
Eastern Michigan's Power Rating: -9.19  #97
Eastern Michigan's Offense Rating: 10.71  #83
Eastern Michigan's Defense Rating: 19.90  #107
2025 Talent Rating: 630.00  #86
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #101
Eastern Michigan's 2025 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
Eastern Michigan's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.7  #119
Eastern Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4  #113
Eastern Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.1  #114

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Eastern Michigan: -9.19   Kentucky: 7.415

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Eastern Michigan: -14.7   Kentucky: 1.8




Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 7.415  #45
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 17.41  #42
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 9.38  #42
2025 Talent Rating: 896.00  #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 25  #23
Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #66
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #80
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #48

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Eastern Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 29.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 34.7

Eastern Michigan's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 7 - 4 - 1
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 1 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 1
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Kentucky 36
Eastern Michigan 16


Projected Total Points: 52
Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.7
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 22.6

Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 5
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/13Kentucky48Eastern Michigan23Kentucky -26.5Eastern Michigan49.5Over
201909/07Kentucky38Eastern Michigan17Kentucky -15.5Kentucky51.5Over
201709/30Kentucky24Eastern Michigan20Kentucky -14Eastern Michigan50.0Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kentucky312 Overs
Eastern Michigan021 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams3 - 01 - 21 - 20 - 0
Road Teams0 - 32 - 10 - 02 - 1

(#97) EMU at (#45) UK
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatEMUUK
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #97 #45
SP+SP+ #119 #66
Perf GradeGrade #112 #75
OffenseOff #82 #89
DefenseDef #129 #42
Spec TeamsST #130 #112
TalentTal #86 #26
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #23
Eastern Michigan Notes
(10/31) QB Kim really good, OL & RB McMillian good too
(10/31) Def 2nd worst in MAC, bottom 5 in all CFB
(10/31) DC Ben Needham must go, Def killing season
(9/20) Huge W vs ULL, 400+ yds Off, QB Kim better
(9/8) Run Off is bottom 10, QB Kim entire offense
(9/4) QB Kim good, Def awful esp vs Run vs Tex st
(7/27) WR Lockett back, need to find depth & TEs
(3/26) QB Kim (Coastal) or Edge (MD) portal adds
(3/26) RB rebuild. Some options, 2 portal adds
(3/26) OL bad LY, 3/5 back, only 1 portal
(3/26) Def bad LY, returns some. 7 portals
(3/26) HC Creighton sliding, lost last 5 to miss bowl
Eastern Michigan Injury Report
Kentucky Notes
(12/16) Bateman is a terrible DC. Lost play calling
(12/15) Finish 2 game L streak, Def fell apart. Stoops fired
(12/12) Hired DC Jay Bateman, was DC a Tex A&M
(12/4) Hired Joe Sloan at OC, was at LSU under BK
(12/1) Hired Oregon OC Will Stein, who played at L'ville
(11/30) Stoops fired after 5-7 season and L'ville blowout
(11/9) 2 game win streak, killed Gators. Could bowl?
(11/5) No P4 home wins since Sept '23, 4-19 overall
(11/1) Great W @ Aub. Ugly game, Def played great
(10/23) Now 1-12 vs P4 teams since start of '24
(10/18) OG'd UT 395 - 179 and lost?! QB Boley looked decent
(10/5) Now 1-11 in last 12 SEC games post UGA game
Kentucky Injury Report
Eastern Michigan on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
EMU OffUK Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #82 #42
SuccessSuc #74 #111
ExplosiveExp #121 #9
PPAPPA #117 #62
PowerPwr #83 #42
SP+SP+ #113 #48
Pts POPPO #105 #31
HavocHav #116 #56
Eastern Michigan Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
EMU OffUK Def
Run GameRun #105 #26
Run SuccessRSuc #87 #122
Run ExplRExp #122 #24
PPAExp #119 #75
Run BlockR Blk #61 -
OL YdsOLY #82 #67
Stuff RateStuff #69 #48
TackleTak -  #27
Eastern Michigan Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
EMU OffUK Def
Pass GamePass #60 #109
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #75
Pass ExplPExl #116 #27
PPAExp #105 #46
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #91 #24
F7 HavocF7 #91 #32
DB HavocDB #124 #95
Kentucky on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatUK OffEMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #89 #129
SuccessSuc #89 #105
ExplosiveExp #123 #61
PPAPPA #118 #83
PowerPwr #42 #107
SP+SP+ #80 #114
Pts POPPO #104 #38
HavocHav #121 #24
Kentucky Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffEMU Def
Run GameRun #90 #126
Run SuccessRSuc #31 #84
Run ExplRExp #133 #34
PPAExp #107 #51
Run BlockR Blk #47 -
OL YdsOLY #71 #82
Stuff RateStuff #78 #70
TackleTak -  #135
Kentucky Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatUK OffEMU Def
Pass GamePass #117 #121
Pass SuccessPSuc #123 #116
Pass ExplPExl #10 #100
PPAExp #117 #117
Pass Block/RushP Blk #54 #115
F7 HavocF7 #120 #6
DB HavocDB #103 #107
Program Comparison
UK 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

EMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Commonwealth Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 3
Kentucky -26.5 (49.5)
Kentucky won vs Eastern Michigan this year (48-23)

Previous Matchups
Kentucky beat Eastern Michigan last year (48-23)

  
EMU's OC Mike Piatkowski (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Noah Kim (Tr)24740261%281718117.0
Terry Lockett010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dontae McMillan177101445.754
Tavierre Dunlap (Tr)10642854.036
Noah Kim (Tr)7918662.420
Joey Mattord64818.024
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nick Devereaux34510715.045
Dontae McMillan33375311.450
Joshua Long3735739.627
Harold Mack20333216.751

View Eastern Michigan's Full Roster

EMU's DC Ben Needham (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryce Llewellyn1035024
Barry Manning756222
Andrew Marshall614130
Donovan Green573220
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Quincy Byas226350
Barry Manning756222
Ronn Hardin113210
Donovan Green573220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryce Llewellyn1035024
Joshua Scott290004
Caleb Coley100014

UK's OC Bush Hamdan (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cutter Boley19830166%216015127.2
Zach Calzada (Tr)285848%238024.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Seth McGowan (Tr)165725124.420
Dante Dowdell (Tr)11256035.079
Jason Patterson5722513.929
Cutter Boley668521.330
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kendrick Law (Tr)53540310.271
Hardley Gilmore IV (Tr)28313111.245
Willie Rodriguez23310113.553
Josh Kattus17195211.534

View Kentucky's Full Roster

UK's DC Brad White (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Bryant762001
Daveren Rayner697224
Alex Afari Jr.617361
J.Q. Hardaway582105
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Steven Soles Jr.115432
Mi'Quise Grace (Tr)317462
Lorenzo Cowan (Tr)135300
Tavion Gadson284330
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J.Q. Hardaway582105
Daveren Rayner697224
Terhyon Nichols181024