by Toledo Rockets
Coach: Jason Candle, 9th year
Last years record: 11-3, MAC West Champs
The Overcast
Toledo had a near historic season going undefeated in conference play and one second away from beating a power 5 school. Despite that they failed to win the MAC title and saw a big part of their roster leave due to graduation and the draft. Former QB DeQuan Finn and RB Peny Boone left for the portal after last season leaving two big holes in the offense. QB Tucker Gleason and RB Jacquez Stuart received playing time last season and will fill those holes left by the former tandem. The defense is left with only five returners from last season, the secondary will be built from the ground up after losing an all American in Quinyon Mitchell to the NFL Draft. With ten returners coming back and a overhauled offensive line this could be a small rebuild year for the Rockets
Dom’s Outlook
This Toledo team is not the Rockets of old that we have seen the past two seasons. The Rockets have suffered some losses that are equal to what others have lost in the MAC. The biggest problem is multiple position groups will be overhauled completely, The offensive line and Secondary rooms are left bare after graduation and the portal took the best players on those units. Gleason is a capable QB that has produced for the Rockets before, this would be his first full season as Toledo’s QB.
Predictions
Two years ago I was spot on predicting a new team to win the MAC in Toledo and I got that spot on. This year will be the first time that I will not be selecting Candles team to win the MAC. Toledo has a chance to snag three wins on their non conference schedule against Dequesne, U.Mass, and Western Kentucky. My final prediction is that the Rockets will finish fifth as they drop a few conference games they are not accustomed to losing, they will fall to a 7-6 record.
