The University of Toledo is coming off a road loss to Buffalo, and a win in the regular-season finale at Central Michigan would go a long way for the Rockets' bowl prospects.
Here are three questions leading up to the game at Central Michigan:
1. Who will be quarterback in Mount Pleasant?
Eli Peters has been the starter recently, but he was knocked out of the game at Buffalo and didn't play in the second half. With the availability of Peters in doubt for Friday, will Toledo turn once again to redshirt freshman Carter Bradley? Bradley, the highly touted high school quarterback, has not yet produced in game action. But the game at Central Michigan could be a chance to get the young signal caller some game reps and could benefit him moving forward.
2. Can Toledo find itself defensively?
Early in the season the story of the defense was its bend but don't break philosophy. The Rockets had one of the top scoring defenses in the conference but were near the bottom in total defense. In MAC play the yards allowed have come in bunches and the scoring average has taken a big hit. In MAC play, Toledo is giving up 34.7 points per game, which is 11th and is ahead of only Bowling Green. The Rockets are giving up 464.9 yards per game in conference play, which is also 11th. Can the defense slow down the run and limit the big plays, or will it be more of the same against Central Michigan?
3. Can the Rockets finish season on a high note?
It has been quite an up-and-down season for Toledo and a disappointing one as the team entered the season as the favorite to win the MAC West. The Rockets will watch as either Western Michigan or Central Michigan will play in the MAC title game. Can Toledo break through for its first conference road win? If Western Michigan loses at Northern Illinois on Tuesday, the Chippewas will have a lot to play for and Toledo will have a chance to play spoiler. Either way the Rockets have a tough task, but a win at CMU could help ease some of this season's frustrations.
First Published November 24, 2019, 11:34 p.m.
