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Matchup preview

San José State vs Eastern Michigan

San José State visit Eastern Michigan in Week 1. The model favors San José State by 2.6. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
56%
44%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 2 · refreshed weekly

Two of the lowest-rated teams on the board meet with almost nothing separating them in SP+: San José State sits at -15.7 (121st), Eastern Michigan at -16.1 (122nd). That 0.4-point ratings gap produces a model that leans Eastern Michigan to a 55% win probability and a projected margin of just 2 points. The market pushes slightly harder, pricing the Eagles at -3 with a 57% implied edge, so the disagreement is small but consistent in one direction.

The unit ranks reinforce the coin-flip framing. San José State grades 113th on offense and 110th on defense; Eastern Michigan counters at 117th and 109th. Neither side owns a clear positional advantage, which is why the projected total of 56.3 sits high relative to the quality on the field. Series history is thin: Eastern Michigan holds a 1-0 edge, winning the last meeting 41-27 in 2022.

Early results tilt the read. Eastern Michigan opened with a 28-17 win over Sacramento State, while San José State fell 26-42 at USC. Season projections favor the Eagles at 6.1 wins to 4.8, with neither team given more than a 0.1% Playoff chance.

A pick-em between the board's two lowest tiers: model and market both lean Eastern Michigan, but only by a field goal.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
EMU -1.5
Total (O/U)
55
Favorite
EMU
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#115SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#125
#119FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#118
1146EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1239
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.-
San José StateEastern Michigansolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Eastern Michigan lead 1-0
20222022
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2022
41-27
Eastern Michigan
neutral site
More Week 1 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the San José State vs Eastern Michigan game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the San José State vs Eastern Michigan market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do San José State and Eastern Michigan play?

Week 1 of 2026, on Sep 4, 2026 at Eastern Michigan.

Who is favored?

The model projects San José State by 2.6 (56% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Eastern Michigan lead 1-0 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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