The Toledo Rockets haven’t lost a conference game in over a year. They’ll put that streak to the test Saturday at noon ET on ESPN2 against Miami Ohio in the MAC Championship.
The Rockets, who are one of the top teams in the Group of Five, outlasted Miami 21-17 in their meeting earlier this season. Can Toledo win consecutive MAC titles, or will the RedHawks have enough in the tank to secure the league crown?
College football betting odds give the edge to the Rockets, who are 7.5-point favorites in the matchup.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Toledo The More Complete Team
Toledo ranks in the top 30 nationally in offensive and defensive success rate, while Miami is 109th in offensive success rate and 53rd in defensive success rate. The RedHawks’ defense is no joke – they lead all MAC teams by allowing just 10.8 points per game in league contests – but their offense isn’t on Toledo’s level.
While the Rockets have scored 30 or more points on eight occasions this season, Miami has done so just five times. The RedHawks are a perfect 3-0 in November, but their scoring high this month is 23 points. Toledo has scored at least 32 points in all three of its November games.
Toledo ranks in the top three in the conference in scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense, rushing offense, passing offense, sacks recorded, sacks allowed, kickoff return average, and third-down conversion percentage. Toledo has been the class of the MAC all season, and the Rockets are a narrow road loss against Illinois from being undefeated and a top contender for the Group of Five New Year’s Six bid.
If the Rockets can finish their season with a win, they’ll cement their place among the Group of Five elite. It’s been a special season for Toledo, and adding a MAC Championship only adds to the tremendous year.
Related Articles
Upset Bid
For Miami to pull the upset, the RedHawks need to take care of the football. In the first meeting between the two teams, Miami actually performed very well defensively, holding Toledo to just 318 total yards and 21 points.
It was two turnovers, however, that played a key role in derailing Miami’s hopes of winning. Despite holding Toledo scoreless in the second half, Miami was unable to pull within four.
The RedHawks tossed an interception in Toledo territory midway through the third quarter that derailed a drive. On their final drive, trailing 21-17, Miami fumbled the ball on first down near midfield.
The Rockets didn’t commit a turnover in the victory.
Even though Toledo might be the more complete team, the Rockets have five one-possession wins this season. They’re not unbeatable. For Miami to score the upset, the RedHawks can follow a similar plan to the previous meeting.
This time, however, Miami needs to win the turnover battle to upset a Toledo team that thrives on all sides of the ball.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
