Mid-American Conference champion or bust.
That is the University of Toledo’s expectation this season.
It has the coaching staff, the roster, and the schedule to make a third consecutive trip to Ford Field and win the conference title for the second time in three years. Of course, it won’t be easy.
Not only are the Rockets replacing several impact players, they are navigating a deep conference that is now division-less. UT, Miami, Bowling Green, and Northern Illinois are the favorites, but one or two teams will surprise.
“The attitude of the team is definitely a hungry one,” senior safety Maxen Hook said. “Obviously, we didn’t finish the season how we wanted to last year and we lost a lot of key guys that were part of that. But a lot of these younger guys also got a taste of how close we were, and they’re ready to go out there and show what they can do.”
But what if it all goes wrong? It is college football, after all, a sport where the unexpected happens frequently.
We have both angles covered.
Why Toledo will win the MAC
Tucker Gleason is a first-team all-conference quarterback with a group of pass catchers that includes Jerjuan Newton, Junior Vandeross, Zy’marion Lang, and Anthony Torres. In the backfield, Jacquez Stuart rushes for 1,000 yards thanks to a rebuilt offensive line that not only helps the run game but keeps Gleason upright.
“This is a different group,” offensive line coach Mike Hallett said. “Not a ton of experience, but a lot of guys that have been backups to a really good offensive line. Some really exciting new players. I think we’ve got a really good blend and a good mix.”
A defense that lost critical players at every level identifies new playmakers. Darius Alexander, D’Andre Ragin, Cavon Butler, Deshawn Holt, and Jeremiah Peters give the Rockets enormous depth at pressure positions. Dan Bolden plays at an All-MAC level, cornerbacks Andre Fuller, Jadarrius Perkins (Florida), and Zeke Blake (Youngstown State) reload in the secondary, and Hook and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren both excel in first-team All-MAC seasons.
“They’re always in the facility. They’re always getting extra work,” cornerbacks coach Perry Eliano said. “I noticed that instantly within the first couple of days. I was like, ‘Wow, OK. Now I see the culture is in the right place.’”
Why Toledo won’t win the MAC
The Rockets are the only team in the country without a single career offensive line starter. After two seasons of offensive line play that helped spark 20 wins, replacing all five starters is a tall task that Toledo can’t complete. Gleason is harassed into numerous turnovers, and the run game is inconsistent.
The pressure UT has put on opponents in recent years cannot be replicated. Instead, the Rockets get gashed. And the secondary is exposed. Not only does Toledo not win the MAC, it loses four games.
“These guys are highly competitive,” head coach Jason Candle said. “I’m sure that’s very motivating and a driving force to be great.”
What fans think
In our annual Toledo football fan survey, we asked Rocket fans about who they felt would win the MAC this season. Here are the results.
First Published August 28, 2024, 6:06 p.m.