2015-16 Football Previews – (MAC) – Rockets
Head coach Matt Campbell has done an admirable job in his three-plus years at the helm of Toledo football. After a 9-4 record last year, the Rockets are a program that counts itself as perennial contenders in the MAC (they went 7-1 in conference play in 2014).
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Toledo
Head Coach: Matt Campbell
2014 Record: 9-4
Toledo Odds to Win 2015 BCS Championship: +200000 (SportBet)
Odds to win MAC: +325
If they can find their way around a couple of kinks, this football team can again be championship-caliber this season.
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A wealth of experience at the skill positions puts Toledo in an enviable spot. In addition to registering nine wins a year ago, the Rockets narrowly lost to Big 12 foe Iowa State (37-30, last Oct. 11) which would have pushed them to double-digit wins.
For a conference that is often, sadly, the pin-cushion for the Big Ten in games earlier in the year, Toledo really represented itself well, especially after years of struggles before Campbell’s coaching.
Being a team that is again expected to be among the contenders in the MAC, let’s talk about Toledo’s strengths and weaknesses.
Team Strengths:
The Rockets will be in good shape at quarterback, regardless who starts. They have senior Philip Ely and junior Logan Woodside; both can carry the offense with aplomb. Ely transferred from Alabama two years ago, which says enough right there considering he’s currently competing in the MAC.
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Woodside led the offense for the majority of last season after injuries to Ely, and he responded with 2,263 yards passing and 19 majors.
Toledo also features RB Kareem Hunt, an all-conference talent who racked up 1,600 yards rushing in ’14 and exploded in the GoDaddy Bowl against Arkansas State, going for 271 yards and five TDs.
The offense also has WRs Corey Jones and Alonzo Russell, who could both vie for All-MAC honors.
Defensively, the Rockets return their entire front four (keep an eye on DT Trent Voss) and most of their secondary, which should hold them in good stead. In addition to Voss, last year’s leading tackler, DT Treyvon Hester and CB Cheatham Norrils stand out on a solid overall unit.
Team Weaknesses:
There really is only one, but it is glaring: Offensive line.
Apart from OT Storm Norton filling in for three games a year ago, the front five is completely devoid of starting experience. There could be growing pains in the group and that will hinder the effectiveness of all the other talented skill players Toledo has.
Watch especially for the right side of the line, a from-scratch area that features sophomore center Elijah Nkansah, junior OG Paul Perschon and junior RT Mike Ebert. If this section of the line can congeal, RB Hunt will be far more effective and the offense has a far better chance of fulfilling its potential.
Offensive line coach Tom Manning has his hands full, to be sure.
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As a tertiary problem, there is some concern in the special teams unit. The Rockets lose All-MAC kicker Jeremiah Detmer, and returning P Nick Ellis had the league’s worst average last season (36.6 yards per).
2015-16 Toledo Rockets Prediction: 10-3
If Manning is worth his salt, he should have the O-line coached up eventually – maybe they take their lumps early in the season with games against Arkansas and Iowa State. Apart from that, this is a highly impressive team throughout the roster and, with the exception of maybe Bowling Green, the Rockets look like the class of the MAC.
2015 Rockets Schedule (All times EST)
9/3/15 7:00 PM S. BROOK
9/12/15 4:00 PM @ARK
9/19/15 8:00 PM IA. ST.
9/26/15 TBD ARK. ST.
10/3/15 3:00 PM @BALL ST.
10/10/15 3:00 PM @KENT ST.
10/17/15 TBD EMU
10/24/15 TBD @UMASS
11/3/15 8:00 PM N. ILL.
11/10/15 7:00 PM @ CMU
11/17/15 TBD @BG
11/27/15 TBD WMU
12/4/15 MAC CHAMP (Detroit, MI)
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