The MAC has one consistency no other Division I conference can claim and that is ‘change’. Six different teams having won a conference title during the last nine seasons and eleven of thirteen head coaches having been at their school less than three years.

Toledo's WR Eric Page continues to be a top 10 national fantasy player (Icon SMI)

In what other league could Miami (OH) become the first Division I program to ever go from double digit losses (1-11 in 2009) to double digit wins (10-4 in 2010) in one season? Don’t be surprised to see yet another champion this season as Toledo and Northern Illinois battle for supremacy in the west while Miami, Ohio and Temple are the favorites in the east.

The Rockets appear to be the team beat in a conference where parity is paramount, led by All-America Candidate WR Eric Page and returning twenty starters from a team that was three points shy of a 10-3 season.  The hard luck Huskies lost in the final seconds of last year’s MACC for the second time in six years have not won a MAC title since 1982. Read the rest of this entry →

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl <formerly the Motor City Bowl>
Kickoff: Sunday Dec 26, 2010; 8:30pm EST, ESPN
Florida International Golden Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets

FIU RB Darriet Perry (28) scores against Troy (Icon SMI)

Notes:

• FIU is playing in their very first bowl game, quite remarkable for a football program that is just nine years old at any level; the Golden Panthers’ six wins this season comprise one-fifth of their 30 victories all-time.
• The Golden Panthers hit their stride down the stretch, averaging 38 points while winning four of their final five.
• Toledo is 8-2 lifetime in bowls, and has appeared in this bowl three times over the last decade; their last bowl victory was in 2005; a 45-13 victory over UTEP in the 2005 GMAC Bowl.
• The Rockets finished second in the West Division of the MAC behind NIU and three of their four losses were to teams also playing in bowls – Boise State, Northern Illinois and Arizona.
• The Rockets forced 33 turnovers in 2010, tied with Hawaii for the most in the nation; the Rockets allowed an average of 46 ppg in their four losses, and were 1-4 when forcing fewer than three turnovers.

For Key Players: Read the rest of this entry →

The Rockets needed a change from “Toledo Tom” (former coach Anstutz) and in 2009 Tim Beckman brought new enthusiasm, accountability and discipline.  Unfortunately that led to a 5-7 record, their fourth losing season in a row.

Eric Page led the nation's freshman in 2010 receiving yardage.

Despite a very effective offense and freshmen star Eric Page, the defense was lousy 116th nationally in scoring (37.7 points per game) and the team turned the ball over far too much.  While four-year starter QB Aaron Opelt has graduated, the offense could be stronger behind a solid O-line and talented RBs.

For any chance at a winning season, the defense needs to be vastly improved after giving up 30-points or more in ten of twelve games.

The Team

The offense returns five starters and several proven backups.  While Toledo likes to pass the ball, look for Morgan Williams to lead an active running game backed up by  Adonis Thomas, Jake Walker and Darius Reeves.  QBs Austin Danton, Alex Pettee and David Pasquale make plays but neither has proven himself to be the undisputed starter.  Page is a special player at WR and led the nation’s freshmen last season with 82 catches for 1,159 yards, but star WR Stephen Williams graduation means Kenny Stafford or new freshman James Green need to hit the ground running.

The defensive line has more size than years past but is still unproven; guys like DE Alex Johnson and DE Douglas Westbrook will need to step up this year.  True freshman Jayrone Elliott could contribute immediately as a pass rush specialist.  Archie Donald is a solid MLB and Dan Molls is quickly becoming a stable too at LB.  The safeties can make plays while the CBs will need much improvement.  Outside of return specialist Eric Page, the special teams are not too special.

The Verdict Read the rest of this entry →