Terrance Owens will try to help Toledo upset Cincinnati. (Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE)
Toledo is riding a six-game winning streak and sitting alone atop the Mid-American Conference’s West Division.
That all means nothing this week when the Rockets step outside of the conference to host unbeaten and nationally ranked Cincinnati.
This is a real measuring stick kind of game for the Rockets, and will give them a good idea where they might stand in terms of the post-season games.
The Bearcats are nasty on defense, allowing slightly more than 14 points per game, while the Rockets are averaging more than 36 points, so something has to give.
Cincinnati is led by former Central Michigan coach Butch Jones, who has a good deal of experience facing the Rockets from his days in the MAC.
The Toledo defense, which was shredded for 624 yards by winless Eastern Michigan last week, will have to contend with Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux, who has 1,208 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in five games this season.
Running back George Winn of Cincinnati averages 6.4 yards per carry and has 521 yards this season.
The Rockets have a solid history of success when hosting ranked teams. Although Toledo is 6-11 overall when facing ranked teams, the Rockets are 4-1 in those meetings that took place in the Glass Bowl.
Hosting the Bearcats gives the Rockets a chance to keep that trend going.
Since their season-opening loss to Arizona, the Rockets have scored fewer than 30 points only once, and have scored 102 points in the last two weeks.
Whenever a MAC school gets a team from a BCS conference on their home field, it is a big deal. If that turns out to be a ranked team from a BCS conference, it is an even bigger deal.
Toledo’s best shot in this showcase game will come from its balance on offense and its abundance of weapons.
If the Rockets are able to possess the ball and keep their defense off the field, they will present themselves the best opportunity to pull off an upset.
