The rivalry between Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan has always been intense, but it could reach historic proportions this Saturday at Waldo Stadium.
This isn’t just about pride or the Michigan MAC Trophy — it’s about survival. For both programs, this is the game of the season. The stakes couldn't be higher with bowl eligibility hanging in the balance.
For Eastern Michigan, this game represents redemption. After a promising 5-2 start, the Eagles are battling a four-game losing streak that has tested their resilience and resolve. Last week’s 37-20 loss to Buffalo left no margin for error, forcing EMU into a do-or-die situation. The pressure is immense: lose, and the season ends in disappointment. Win, and a postseason berth remains within reach—a chance to extend their streak of bowl appearances and salvage what once seemed like a banner year.
“Huge week. No question. We absolutely know what’s at stake. We know our backs are against the wall... And one of the things that I love about our team, I mean, everybody wants to be here,” Head Coach Chris Creighton said, reflecting the intensity and focus his team is bringing into this pivotal matchup.
The stakes are heightened by the Michigan MAC Trophy, a prize for the best of Michigan’s MAC schools. EMU has already defeated Central Michigan this year, and a win over WMU would secure the trophy outright. For Western, victory means keeping the trophy in Kalamazoo.
“We had a full trophy case for a year, and it was awesome. Now there’s just a mural of it... I want so badly for these guys to be able to hoist that trophy and all that comes with that,” Creighton said, emphasizing the emotional significance of bringing the trophy back to Ypsilanti.
For senior defensive lineman Joey Zelinsky, the importance of the game goes beyond trophies.
“Like coach said, we have no regrets about our preparation, but we need to keep chopping wood and carrying water every single day, taking the inches serious, taking practice serious, practicing like it’s game day,” Zelinsky said. His words echo a team determined to approach this game with unwavering commitment.
Both teams are preparing for a battle where physicality and execution will determine the outcome.
“I think a game like this has like a Super Bowl vibe, you know?... I see the look in the guys’ eyes like this isn’t going to be our last time we play together… And I believe this is one of the games where, just like Central [Michigan University], it’s a rivalry game, and it’s about who’s going to be more physical. I mean, who’s going to punch someone in the mouth but do their job as aggressively as possible? So I do believe we’re going to win this game,” Zelinsky added, capturing the emotional and competitive stakes of the rivalry.
Creighton also highlighted the importance of execution in critical moments.
“It’s going to be a chilly day, and who knows what the precipitation will be like, but I think both teams are going to want to be able to run the football and play great defense. So, I think that’s what it’s going to come down to,” he said, underscoring the physical and strategic aspects of the game.
This could easily be Eastern Michigan’s biggest game of the year, not just because of what’s at stake. It’s a chance for the Eagles to prove they can rise to the moment when everything is on the line. A win would ensure bowl eligibility and restore momentum to a season that’s been slipping away. It’s a chance for the seniors to leave their mark, for the coaching staff to solidify their legacy, and for fans to witness a team that refuses to give up.
Adding to the drama is the history between these two programs. EMU has dominated the rivalry recently, winning four of the last five matchups, including a memorable 45-23 victory at Waldo Stadium in 2022. However, WMU got the upper hand earlier this season with a 45-21 win in Ypsilanti, fueled by a dominant defensive performance. This rematch feels different—more intense, consequential, and defining.
For EMU, this isn’t just about winning a rivalry game or hoisting a trophy. It’s about proving that the promise of their 5-2 start wasn’t a fluke, that they can dig deep and overcome adversity, and that they belong among the best in the conference.
As Zelinsky put it, “It’s week 12. It’s a game of want to. How bad do you want this last one, you know?”
As kickoff nears, the stakes couldn’t be higher. One team will keep its season alive, while the other is left to reflect on what might have been. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+, WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network app.
