_Missouri hosts Eastern Michigan in its 2016-17 home opener at 6:30 p.m. Saturday as the Tigers look to earn their first victory of the season._

_Evan Hensley, who covers football, wrestling and baseball for The Eastern Echo, Eastern Michigan’s student newspaper, spoke with The Maneater’s Nick Kelly over email about what to expect Saturday._

**The Maneater:** What is Eastern Michigan’s biggest strength?

**Evan Hensley:** EMU’s biggest strength on offense has to be the offensive line and running game. We have brought back the fifth most experienced offensive line in the country and feature a talented young back in Shaq Vann.

**ME:** What is Eastern Michigan’s biggest weakness?

**EH:** Our biggest weakness is probably the secondary. We have a group that has not been challenged much and features both young and veteran players.

**ME:** Who are three players to watch on Eastern Michigan?

**EH:** A player to watch is Shaq Vann, our running back who was a sidekick last year to current Dallas Cowboy Darius Jackson.

Another player to watch is defensive lineman Pat O’Connor who led the MAC in sacks in 2014 and was injured all last year. He had two sacks in Week 1.

The last player to watch will be our QB Todd Porter who gets the start due to a Brogan Roback suspension. He is a JUCO transfer who joined the team in the spring.

**ME:** Who on Missouri’s offense or defense poses the biggest threat to West Virginia?

**EH:** The player that poses the biggest threat in probably defensive end Charles Harris whose pass rush ability is known throughout the country.

**ME:** What is your prediction for this game?

**MC:** I think this game will be a lot closer than people expect. EMU has the talent to challenge the struggling offense of Missouri. I think Mizzou still wins in a 17-10 game.

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_