Football is not only back, we're onto Week 2 already.
Toledo welcomes Massachusetts to the Glass Bowl for the second time in three seasons. The group Don Brown is bringing to town on Saturday is much improved compared to the 2022 team.
"He's done it at a really high level for a long time," Toledo coach Jason Candle said. "I mean, he's obviously very good at what he does. Any team that he's been a part of, they like to create havoc. They like to create turnovers. They like to get after the quarterback. And they like to put pressure on the offense to make really hard plays."
There's been some grumbling from the UT fan base about opening the season against Duquesne and UMass, but the schedule serves a purpose. The Rockets are young and inexperienced in a few critical areas, and these two games should help get them in the flow and build confidence before traveling to Mississippi State and Western Kentucky.
But they aren't counting Saturday as a win just yet.
"You’ve got to be good in early downs," Candle said. "You’ve got to make sure that you don't self-inflict with miscommunication and selfish things prior to the snap. You’ve got to work really hard to get it figured out and to know where things are coming from to allow your players to have the best chance to be successful."
BASICS
■ Who: Toledo vs. UMass
■ When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
■ Where: Glass Bowl
■ Spread: Toledo by 19½
■ TV: ESPN+
■ Radio: 1370
■ Follow: Kyle Rowland
PLAYERS TO WATCH
■ Toledo: Jacquez Stuart. In the current series with UMass, running the football has not been a problem. And Stuart has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. The senior tailback has 143 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries against the Minutemen.
■ UMass: Taisun Phommachanh. In a 28-14 loss to Eastern Michigan last week, Phommachanh completed 20 of 30 passes for 177 yards and he rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries. Last season, he had 272 passing yards and two TDs against the Rockets.
STATS TO KNOW
■ 1-11: The Minutemen's record against MAC schools as an independent.
■ 105: Toledo has the third-most punt return yards in the country.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Toledo offensive line vs. UMass blitz: An inexperienced offensive line with only one start together will be fascinating to see against Don Brown's defense. The UMass head coach and former Michigan defensive coordinator will want to put as much stress on the Rockets as possible. That starts with trying to confuse UT. It should be a 60-minute chess match in the trenches.
PREDICTION
Don Brown has continuously upgraded the roster at UMass with Power Five/Four transfers, attempting to build a winner at perhaps the most difficult job in the country. There is still a significant talent gap with Toledo, especially on defense. Tucker Gleason got the early jitters out last week. Expect him to hit some deep throws against the Minutemen as the Rockets build on their cohesiveness. And the Jacquez Stuart-Willie Shaw-Connor Walendzak triumvirate should run wild. Toledo 34-10.
WARMUP READING
Briggs: I crushed UMass for joining MAC. Its AD tells me why I'm wrong
Photos: Toledo football to don all-gold uniforms vs. UMass
Toledo offensive line gets a passing grade, so far
Week 2 is all about improvement for Toledo (and the rest of college football)
Week 2 scouting report: Toledo football vs. Massachusetts
Video: What to expect from Toledo-UMass at the Glass Bowl
First Published September 7, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
