The University of Toledo and Western Michigan were considered two of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference in the preseason.
As both teams try to navigate their way through the conference schedule and earn a trip to Detroit for the MAC championship game, they will meet in an early-season test Saturday at the Glass Bowl.
For Toledo (3-1), it's the first game in MAC play, while Western Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC) is coming off a win over rival Central Michigan last week.
“It's the conference opener, and those always have their own set of challenges,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said. “It's always a big one no matter who it is. Talking season would tell you that these two teams are picked to be toward the top of the conference. But last time I checked, that part of the season doesn't dictate how it goes. You have to go play the game and play well.”
Statistically speaking, these teams look to be the best overall teams in the MAC so far.
Toledo leads the MAC in scoring defense at 23.5 points per game and is second in the conference in scoring offense at 34.5 points per game. The Broncos, meanwhile, are first in scoring offense (37.2 ppg) and second in scoring defense (28.2 ppg).
“It's an exciting game,” Western Michigan coach Tim Lester said. “It's one of the games you look forward to. They were preseason No. 1 and they've looked like it and they are playing like it. Their offense is clicking. Their defense is No. 1 in the league in scoring defense, and they are No. 2 in the league in scoring offense. It's a big challenge. We have to go to their place, which is a tough place to play. It's everything you want. They are the best if not one of the best in everything in our league, and we get to go play them on Saturday.”
The Western Michigan offense is led by its dynamic running back LeVante Bellamy, who averages 111.8 yards per game, which is second in the MAC behind Toledo running back Bryant Koback (112.8 ypg).
Bellamy has racked up 559 yards in the Broncos’ five games with seven rushing touchdowns.
“I don't know if you can really slow that guy down,” Candle said. “He's a one-cut and run really fast guy. He's talented. We have to wrap up when we get to him. You have to make sure you are solid in your angles. You have to be gap sound, and you have to contain. There are times when the other team has him gapped out and he bounces the ball and he is out there with a safety — very similar to Bryant [Koback] at Colorado State and the long run he had. We have to be really good and disciplined with our eyes and play team defense.”
Toledo safety Tycen Anderson said the Rockets defense will have to be focused and disciplined to slow down Bellamy.
“We just have to eliminate big plays,” Anderson said. “LeVante Bellamy is one of the best backs we've seen and is one of the best backs in the MAC so far this season. We have to do a good of keeping him bottled in and not let him make explosive plays.”
Western Michigan senior quarterback Jon Wassink is second in the MAC in passing yards per game at 293.2 and is second in efficiency at 157.4.
“He's done a great job of getting the ball out on time,” Candle said. “There are really a low number of sacks that they have allowed. A lot of that has to do with the quarterback getting the ball out on time, and it limits his hits and the opportunity the defense has to disrupt him. He's very comfortable in their scheme, and they are very good at what they do. He is very dialed in.”
The Toledo offense has relied on its rushing attack as the Rockets are first in the conference at 262.2 rushing yards per game as a team. Western Michigan’s defense will look to slow down the Toledo running game and make the Rockets more one-dimensional.
“They fly around,” Toledo quarterback Mitch Guadagni said of the WMU defense. “They have a lot of good players that make good plays for them. We have to put a good game plan together in how to attack them. But they are a very good team.”
The early conference showdown at the Glass Bowl will allow one team to make a statement and get an early leg up in the MAC West race.
“We're in an eight-week playoff,” Candle said. “That's really what it is. The cool thing is you get your first one at home and you get a chance to jump out in front. We have to see it as that. A win or loss this week is not the be-all, end-all to our season. There are lots of things that can happen either way, but we want to get out to a good start and control our own destiny and control our own fate and not put it into other people's hands. That's what everybody starting conference play is after.”
First Published October 4, 2019, 3:37 p.m.