One week after Toledo's season was on the line, the Rockets sit in a position of strength.

Scoreboard watching will be part of the final four weeks, but UT is in the enviable position of having the easiest stretch run in the Mid-American Conference. The first of four winnable games is Tuesday against Eastern Michigan in the Glass Bowl.

The Eagles have long been a Toledo punching bag, losing 13 of the past 14 games in the series. Eastern Michigan has only beaten UT 12 times in 48 games, and its last win in Toledo came in 1999.

When Toledo has the ball

Behind a makeshift offensive line, the Rockets got by against Western Michigan. Dequan Finn was more patient, he completed critical passes when needed, and the run game was adequate. Toledo's offense still isn't anywhere close to what it's been in the past, but bandages have been applied and there's been noticeable improvement in the past six quarters.

Eastern Michigan ranks fifth in the MAC and 79th nationally in total defense, allowing nearly 400 yards per game. The Eagles are solid against the pass (208.8 yards per game, six TDs, four INTs) but struggle mightily at stopping the run, as they've given up 184.5 yards per game and 17 rushing touchdowns. Only 14 schools have allowed more rushing TDs.

Defensive backs Russell Vaden IV and David Carter, Jr., each have two interceptions, fifth-most in the MAC. Carter returned one for a touchdown.

When Eastern Michigan has the ball

The Eagles are somewhat an offensive enigma, ranking 86th nationally in total offense (372.6 yards per game) but 34th in scoring offense (32.8 points). Most of their success comes on the ground via Cincinnati transfer quarterback Ben Bryant, who is the MAC's third-leading passer, with 1,836 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has completed a MAC-best 69 percent of his passes.

Wide receivers Hassan Beydoun (533 yards, one TD) and Dylan Drummond (501 yards, four TDs) both have more than 500 yards. Running backs Jawon Hamilton (347 yards, three TDs) and Darius Boone, Jr. (308 yards, 6 TDs) have combined for 655 yards and nine touchdowns, but Eastern Michigan is 10th in rushing offense in the MAC.

Toledo ranks in the top four across the board in MAC defensive categories and first in several.

Special teams

Eastern Michigan’s Jake Julien is first in the conference with 46.6 yards per punt. Six of his 31 punts have been downed inside the 20, with only two resulting in touchbacks. Place-kicker Chad Ryland is eight of 11 on field goals, connecting on four of five attempts from 40-plus yards.

Toledo will win if…

The formula for the Rockets is the same as it has been all season — let the defense play up to its standard and hope the offense is adequate. If Toledo has a strength on offense, it's Finn and Koback getting loose on the ground. 

Eastern Michigan scored 55 points in its last game against Bowling Green. The last time the Rockets played an opponent that had an offensive explosion the week prior, they shut down Western Michigan.

Eastern Michigan will win if…

The key to victory for Eastern Michigan is limiting Toledo's run game and challenging its defensive backs. Turning UT into a one-dimensional offense by eliminating the run puts significant stress on Finn, who has struggled with sacks and accuracy. If the Eagles can complete passes, it could make the UT defense vulnerable.

View from the other side

Mackenzie Thompson, Eastern Michigan beat reporter for the Eastern Echo: 

“The odds are definitely against the Eagles going into #MACtion next week, especially after losing 10 consecutive games in Toledo. However, this may be the team to finally turn things around and bring home a win. The Rockets will be a challenging opponent, considering their great performance against Western Michigan in last week’s matchup. Toledo’s defense is tough, especially with big playmakers like Desjuan Johnson. Eastern Michigan’s roster is loaded with talented athletes who are determined to win in hopes of qualifying for bowl eligibility. This will be a close matchup since both teams have been elevating their game since the start of the season. Eastern 31, Toledo 29.”

First Published October 31, 2021, 7:46 p.m.