The beginning of Toledo’s 2024 season couldn’t have gone much better.
The Rockets began the year with a three-game winning streak, including a 41-17 victory at Mississippi State. They appeared to be a team that could contend for a College Football Playoff berth.
But the Rockets didn’t keep winning at that rate. They ended up going 7-5 overall during the regular season with a 4-4 mark in MAC play. But they did conclude the year with a six-overtime triumph over Pitt in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
Can head coach Jason Candle get Toledo back to playing at a conference-championship level?
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Toledo Football’s MAC Title & CFP Betting Odds
Toledo’s odds to win the MAC are +225, via BetMGM. The Rockets’ odds of making the MAC title game are -110.
Toledo’s odds of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff are +2000.
Toledo Football’s Win Total Over/Under
Toledo’s win total Over/Under is 8.5, with Under 8.5 at +120 and Over 8.5 at -145.
Toledo Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 @ Kentucky
Sept. 6 vs. Western Kentucky
Sept. 13 vs. Morgan State
Sept. 20 @ Western Michigan
Sept. 27 vs. Akron
Oct. 11 @ Bowling Green
Oct. 18 vs. Kent State
Oct. 25 @ Washington State
Nov. 5 @ Miami (Ohio)
Nov. 22 vs. Ball State
Nov. 29 @ Central Michigan
Dec. 6 MAC Championship
Bold indicates MAC contests
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Key Toledo Football Returners
2024 All-MAC 1st Team
WR Junior Vandeross III
2nd Team
CB Avery Smith
PR Bryson Hammer
3rd Team
OL Ethan Spoth
Toledo Football Favored To Win The MAC
Toledo may have lost some star players like wide receiver Jerjuan Newton, defensive tackle Darius Alexander, and defensive back Maxen Hook, who all received opportunities with NFL teams. But the Rockets have some great players coming back, too.
At quarterback, Tucker Gleason is returning after an impressive 2024 campaign. He threw for 2,808 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 60.5% of his passes. He also ran for 364 yards and a team-best seven TDs.
Six of Toledo’s top nine receivers from last year are back. G5 All-American wide receiver Junior Vandeross III is returning after catching 85 passes for 957 yards and five scores. Connor Walendzak is also back after leading the Rockets with 458 rushing yards to go with a touchdown as well as 14 catches for 77 yards.
Up front, Toledo is loaded with experience. Ethan Spoth is back after making the All-MAC third team while playing at both center and guard. Left guard Carter Fouty and right tackle Cole Rhett each started every 2024 game at their respective positions and are also back, and tackle Stephen Gales as well as guard/center Grant Zimmerly are returning after starting multiple games as well.
Toledo’s defense isn’t as veteran-laden, as four of the Rockets’ top 12 tacklers are returning.
Toledo’s top returner on that side of the ball is cornerback Avery Smith. He made the all-conference second team after breaking up 14 passes – tied for second-most in the country – and recording 58 tackles as well as two interceptions.
In fact, Toledo’s secondary has the most players coming back compared to other levels of the defense. Defensive backs Braden Awls (72 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and four interceptions), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (61 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, four pass breakups, and one pick), and Nasir Bowers (44 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, five pass breakups, and two interceptions) are among Toledo players coming back. Defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. was second on the team with four sacks while adding 25 tackles and seven TFLs and is back as well.
All-MAC second-team punt returner Bryson Hammer, who returned 19 punts for 255 yards in 2024, should give the Rockets explosiveness on special teams.
Toledo Football Season Prediction
I predict Toledo won’t win the MAC Championship but will go Over 8.5 wins.
For me, I think Buffalo ends up with the MAC title in 2025. However, there should be plenty of wins on Toledo’s slate this year.
I predict the Rockets will win three of their four non-conference games against Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Morgan State, and Washington State in October. But even if the Rockets go 2-2 in those contests in particular, I could see Toledo going 7-1 in MAC play.
The only loss I see for Toledo against conference foes is at Miami (Ohio). Otherwise, Toledo has the skill and coaching to stay consistent and remain near the top of the MAC standings again this year.
