Toledo football has the second best chance to reclaim the Mid-American Conference championship this upcoming season, according to ESPN’s popular Football Power Index rankings released recently.

The Rockets’ chances to win the MAC title are 16.8 percent, second behind Miami (20.2). Bowling Green is third at 13.8 percent.

Toledo’s chances of at least six wins are at 79.1 percent (best in the league).

ESPN’s FPI ratings are defined as “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season.” The predictions are based on 20,000 computer simulations.

The MAC is eliminating its divisional structure this year, meaning the top two teams in the league regardless of geography will reach the title game. 

Toledo is ranked 100th nationally overall in the FPI, second among MAC schools, with a projected record of 7-5.

The FPI ranked Toledo’s schedule strength 11th out of 12 MAC teams and 131st out of 134 FBS teams.

The Rockets will open the season Aug. 29 at home against Duquesne of the FCS, before taking on future conference foe Massachusetts, which is ranked 125th nationally in the FPI, on Sept. 7.

Here is a look at where the rest of Toledo’s schedule ranks.

■ Sept. 14 at Mississippi State: 49

■ Sept. 21 at Western Kentucky: 109

■ Oct. 5 vs. Miami (Ohio): 90

■ Oct. 12 at Buffalo: 118

■ Oct. 19 at Northern Illinois: 114

■ Oct. 26 vs. Bowling Green: 103

■ Nov. 2 at Eastern Michigan: 126

■ Nov. 12 vs. Central Michigan: 115

■ Nov. 20 vs. Ohio: 113

■ Nov. 26 at Akron: 128

First Published June 3, 2024, 2:21 p.m.