Eastern Michigan gets college football’s opening weekend to itself in Ypsilanti: the Eagles host Sacramento State on August 29 in a Week 0 game that doubles as the Hornets’ FBS debut and EMU’s first MAC home opener to start a season since 2004. Chris Creighton’s 13th Eastern Michigan team returns quarterback Noah Kim, who led the MAC in passing in 2025, and gets a home schedule that ends inside an NFL stadium.
Several kickoff times are still to be announced, and MAC TV windows firm up closer to game week — check back weekly, as this page is updated with times, networks, and results all season.
2026 Team Schedule
Eastern Michigan Eagles Football Schedule
MAC · Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti · Chris Creighton, Year 13
Season Opener
Aug 29
vs Sacramento State, 6:30 PM ET
Home Dates
6
5 at Rynearson + Ford Field
QB Noah Kim, 2025
2,817
Passing yards, led the MAC
Circle It
Nov 4
Central Michigan at Ford Field
Full 2026 Eastern Michigan Football Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Time (ET) / TV |
Result |
| Sat, Aug 29 |
vs Sacramento State |
6:30 PM · ESPN+ |
— |
| Fri, Sept 4 |
vs San Jose State |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 12 |
at Michigan State |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 19 |
at Wisconsin |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 26 |
vs Lindenwood (FCS) |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 3 |
at UMass |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 10 |
at Akron |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 17 |
vs Toledo |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 24 |
at Ohio |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 31 |
Bye week |
— |
— |
| Wed, Nov 4 |
vs Central Michigan (Ford Field, Detroit) |
TBA |
— |
| Tue, Nov 17 |
at Western Michigan |
TBA |
— |
| Tue, Nov 24 |
vs Kent State |
TBA |
— |
Games That Will Decide Eastern Michigan’s Season
| Game |
Date |
Why It Matters |
| vs Sacramento State |
Aug 29 |
A Week 0 MAC game against a debuting opponent — a league win before September |
| vs Toledo |
Oct 17 |
The measuring-stick home date against one of the MAC’s perennial contenders |
| vs Central Michigan |
Nov 4 |
The 104th meeting in the rivalry, played at Ford Field for Motor City MACtion |
| vs Kent State |
Nov 24 |
A Tuesday-night finale that could carry bowl-eligibility stakes |
Fast Fact
The September 4 game against San Jose State is the first regular-season meeting ever between the programs — a rematch of the 1987 California Bowl and 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, both won by EMU.
Fast Fact
Back-to-back September road trips to Michigan State and Wisconsin put the Eagles on two of the sport’s biggest stages in an eight-day span.
Fast Fact
EMU-CMU is the longest-running rivalry for both schools — and in 2026 it moves to the Detroit Lions’ home stadium on a Wednesday night.
How the Schedule Sets Up
The Eagles open with two winnable home games before the Power Four gauntlet at Michigan State and Wisconsin, then settle into MAC play with a favorable rhythm — the bye lands right before the Ford Field showcase against Central Michigan, and the season closes with two of the final three at home. Stack wins early and the November midweek stretch becomes a bowl push — here’s how the College Football Playoff works and where a MAC champion fits in the postseason structure governed by the NCAA.
The Bottom Line
Eastern Michigan gets a rare gift in 2026: the sport’s undivided attention in Week 0, a returning all-league-caliber quarterback, and a rivalry game inside an NFL stadium. The schedule sets up for a bowl run if the Eagles take care of the MAC dates around the two Big Ten paychecks. Bookmark this page — times, networks, and results are updated throughout the season.
