Eastern Michigan almost had it. The Eagles, a longtime college football cellar dweller, nearly defeated an SEC team last Saturday. The Kentucky Wildcats were deadlocked at 14 with Chris Creighton's program in Lexington going into halftime last Saturday. Eastern Michigan hung tight with the 4-1 Power Five foe throughout the game's entirety. But as the clock hit triple zeros, Brogan Roback's Hail Mary attempt was intercepted by the Wildcat defense. 24-20.
Although the Eagles could not become the second MAC team to defeat an SEC opponent in College Football Playoff era, they showed that they have potential to compete in the heated MAC West race.