The Toledo Rockets return to the Glass Bowl on Saturday, October 24, to host Western Michigan, bringing one of the nation’s most productive offenses into a Mid-American Conference matchup with the Broncos.
Toledo is averaging 459.0 yards per game, 20th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and 36.3 points per game. The Rockets throw for 273.4 yards a game with 15 passing touchdowns so far, and run for 185.6 yards a game with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Western Michigan arrives with the stingier defense on paper. The Broncos allow 336.3 yards and just 16.9 points per game, 25th nationally, while Toledo’s defense gives up 322.0 yards and 23.6 points a game. Something has to give between Toledo’s passing attack, at 273.4 yards a game, and a Bronco pass defense allowing 191.4 yards a game.
The Broncos’ offense has been more ground-based, rushing for 164.7 yards a game with 13 touchdowns against 157.6 passing yards and nine scores. Toledo’s run defense, allowing 125.4 yards a game and seven rushing touchdowns, will be tested early.
Toledo’s road here has been eventful: a 30-20 loss at Michigan State to open the season, home routs of Central Connecticut State, 63-10, Temple, 49-48, and San Diego State, 41-16, a 39-24 win at Ball State, a 23-8 home loss to Buffalo, and a 34-14 win at Eastern Michigan on October 17.
Saturday’s game is Toledo’s last at home before a road-heavy November that opens at Sacramento State on November 4. The Rockets then host UMass and Bowling Green before closing the regular season at Ohio on November 27.
The statistical matchup points to tempo as the deciding factor. Toledo’s offense, at 459.0 yards a game, has scored in bunches at home this season, putting up 63, 49 and 41 points in its three biggest Glass Bowl outings. Western Michigan’s defense, allowing 16.9 points a game, has made its reputation doing the opposite. If the Broncos can force Toledo to drive the long field, their rushing attack, at 164.7 yards a game, is built to shorten the afternoon; if the Rockets strike early through the air, the Broncos will have to chase a game their 157.6 passing yards a game are not designed to chase.
Kickoff at the Glass Bowl is set for Saturday, and with both defenses ranked in the national top 50 in yards allowed, the Rockets’ high-output offense faces its most disciplined test of the conference season.
Photo: Mactropy, CC BY-SA