The most anticipated Mid-American Conference game of the season has arrived.
Does it carry the same allure that it possessed over the summer? Perhaps not.
Regardless, the winner will set the MAC championship race.
“We’re going to be ready,” Toledo running back Jacquez Stuart said.
The last time these teams played, Miami dished out the revenge, knocking off Toledo in the MAC title game after the Rockets had won in Oxford. This is the third meeting in 13 games, and all three will factor into who does and does not compete for the MAC championship.
UT is primed for the biggest home Saturday game in years.
“We’re looking forward to homecoming weekend and all the pageantry that goes along with that,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said. “We expect a huge turnout from our crowd.”
BASICS
■ Who: Miami (1-3) at Toledo (3-1)
■ When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
■ Where: Glass Bowl
■ Spread: Toledo by 6½
■ TV: ESPN Plus
■ Radio: 1370 AM; 1230 AM
■ Follow: Kyle Rowland
PLAYERS TO WATCH
■ Toledo: Anthony Torres. The tight end is one of 46 players with at least four touchdown receptions. And he’s the only one with fewer than 14 receptions. Torres only has 10 catches, but he’s a consequential piece of the offense and a major threat. In two games against the RedHawks last season, he finished with six receptions for 105 yards with two touchdowns plus a two-point conversion.
■ Miami: Keyon Mozee. The RedHawks haven’t found much success running the football this season, but Mozee, a senior tailback, was a bright spot last week against Massachusetts, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Even if you remove his 66-yard run, Mozee still averaged 6 yards per carry.
STATS TO KNOW
■ 2002: Toledo hasn’t lost to Miami at the Glass Bowl since the early days of the George W. Bush Administration.
■ 2: Miami head coach Chuck Martin is two wins away from tying Terry Hoeppner as the winningest coach in program history.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Miami QB Brett Gabbert vs. Toledo secondary: The assumption is Toledo’s defensive line will play well. If that happens, Miami’s only hope is for Gabbert to have one of the best games of his career. So far, so average for the sixth-year senior. Gabbert has the lowest completion percentage of his career since his true freshman season (56.8 percent), throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions for a dismal TD-to-INT ratio. Toledo’s pass defense ranks 102nd nationally, but the Rockets have intercepted five passes in four games.
PREDICTION
Toledo has more talent. Toledo is the more complete team. Toledo is the better team. That doesn’t always guarantee victory. But it’s a great place to start, especially in a home game. Miami’s offense has struggled mightily. Even against good competition, it's not a good sign for the RedHawks. Now they face a ferocious defensive line and an overall defense that’s among the best in the conference. With a week to lick their wounds and get healthy, the Rockets will be a hungry (and angry) football team on Saturday. Toledo 24, Miami 10.
WARMUP READING
Still smarting from last season's MAC title game, Toledo gets another shot at Miami
Raucous scene awaits Toledo-Miami football showdown
Video: MAC championship game rematch on homecoming
Week 5 scouting report: Toledo football vs. Miami
Photo Gallery: Mascot statues unveiled during UT Homecoming Pep Rally
First Published October 5, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
