YPSILANTI, Mich. — If you listen to Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton’s news conference, Saturday’s game will be every bit as difficult for the Eagles as their trip to Washington in September.
Toledo clobbered Mississippi State and Miami and beat Northern Illinois with its backup quarterback, so there is no mystery about the Rockets’ competence. And Crieghton wasn’t necessarily misleading in his praise of UT, but it was also classic coachspeak, serving as a motivator for his own team.
“This is a really good Toledo team,” Creighton said. “The quarterback has as good of an arm as anyone in the league. every receiver spot is super talented, and they might be headlined by their tight end, who can do it all. He can run, catch, and block. ... It’s going to be a typical Toledo team. And when I say that, I say it with the highest amount of respect.”
We will find out Saturday afternoon how Creighton’s words landed and if he was prophetic.
BASICS
■ Who: Toledo (5-3, 2-2) at Eastern Michigan (5-3, 2-2)
■ When: Noon Saturday
■ Where: Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, Mich.
■ Spread: Toledo by 8½
■ TV: ESPNU
■ Radio: 1370 AM; 1230 AM
■ Follow: Kyle Rowland
PLAYERS TO WATCH
■ Toledo: Jerjuan Newton. The senior wide receiver is on a tear, catching 27 passes for 514 yards and six touchdowns. He surpassed Cody Thompson last week as UT’s all-time leader in TD receptions.
■ Eastern Michigan: Peyton Price. The senior defensive lineman has 6½ tackles for loss, including 4½ sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s one of the most disruptive players in the Mid-American Conference.
STATS TO KNOW
■ 21-3: The Rockets are 21-3 against Eastern in the last 24 meetings.
■ Fourth: Since 2016, Eastern has the fourth-most wins in the MAC.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Toledo offense vs. Eastern Michigan defense: This matchup isn’t necessarily about Toledo’s offense scoring points or Eastern stopping the Rockets. It’s all about protecting the football if you’re UT and taking the football away from Toledo if you’re Eastern. It sounds crazy to dumb everything down to one team’s turnovers or lack thereof. But that’s how this game will be decided. If UT has zero turnovers, it will win the game.
PREDICTION
Remember the Northern Illinois game a few weeks ago? Saturday won’t be quite as ugly, but it should be similar. This will be a game Eastern tries to play keep away. It will be a physical and grinding style. These teams have a habit of playing one-score games against each other, and this should be no different. Eastern Michigan has an active defense that can exploit some of UT’s weaknesses. But the Rockets are good enough on offense and defense to squeak by and keep their MAC championship game hopes alive. Toledo 24, Eastern Michigan 20.
WARMUP READING
Briggs: What is fair to expect from Jason Candle and the Toledo football program?
Turnovers have been costly for Toledo football
Toledo football aims to correct second-half letdowns
Week 10 scouting report: Toledo football at Eastern Michigan
Video: After Battle of I-75 setback, where does Toledo go from here?
Toledo PFF grades: Running backs fare well in pass protection
Window World Toledo signs on-field sponsorship deal with University of Toledo
First Published November 2, 2024, 11:30 a.m.
