The Ohio Bobcats prowl into the Glass Bowl to square-off with the Toledo Rockets on Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. Currently, the Rockets are -16.5 point favorites coming into this game and the total is 58.5.
Ohio (5-3):
It’s been a struggle for the Ohio Bobcat offense in 2016. Last week was no different, as the Bobcats turned the ball over on three separate occasions. Fortunately, they manage to come away with a victory against Kent State 14-10.
Quintin Maxwell has taken over the quarterback duties the last two weeks of the season. The youngsters numbers aren’t much different than their original starter’s Greg Windham.
It’s possible that both signal-callers will see time in this match-up. Together, the two have combined for almost 275 attempts for over 1,700 yards with 11 touchdowns and three picks.
The Bobcats rely on four tail backs to handle the work-load out of the backfield. The foursome has totaled over 200 carries for 1000 yards and 10 scores. Quarterback Greg Windham has pitched in his share via the ground. He has another 78 carries for 350 yards and three scores.
Sebastian Smith and Jordan Reid are the go-to wide outs when either quarterback is tossing the ball around on game day. Together, they have just under 70 catches for over 900 yards and six touchdown nabs. Running back Papi White also contributes, posting 18 catches and another score.
Ohio’s defense, which is allowing the fewest yards per play in the MAC at 5.04, has managed to keep games close for the Bobcat faithful. They are especially tough against the run, allowing only 115 yards a game which is good for 18th in the country. Teams are averaging 24 points a contest against this Bobcat unit.
Toledo (6-1):
Quarterback Logan Woodside has thrown at least four scores in six straight football games. Furthermore, the accurate passer has 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
Those statistics rank him first in college football with a 200.78 passer rating. On the 71.4 percent of his completed passes in 2016 (1st in FBS), Logan Woodside has amassed almost 2,300 yards. It is few and far between that he has even been touched by opposing defenses, let alone sacked this year.
Toledo actually runs the ball more than they throw it. Running backs Terry Swanson and Kareem Hunt are the reason why. Combined the two backs have scampered for over 1,100 yards on 228 carries and have reached the promised land seven times.
Four impressive receivers catch passes for the Toledo Rockets. Their 28 touchdowns together make secondaries cringe at the thought of who to shut-down in the red zone. Cody Thompson leads the way, snatching 36 balls for 844 yards (23.4 YPC) and nine scores.
Even though the numbers for the Rocket’s defense aren’t impressive, Toledo’s unit also has held five of its seven opponents to fewer than 350 yards. As of now, they rank 35th in the nation giving up 22 points a contest and give up only 211 yards through the air (45th).
Trends and Notes:
The Bobcats are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games.
The Rockets are 17-4-2 ATS in their last 23 games overall.
The Under is 7-0 in the Bobcats last 7 games overall.
The Over is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 home games.
The Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Game Prediction:
Toledo Rockets quarterback Logan Woodside will become Toledo’s all-time leading passer after this game. The senior only needs one touchdown to get there and I see him throwing at least two or three. The running game probably will be used to set up the Rocket’s passing attack because the Bobcat’s find success stopping opposing runners.
Ohio will try to keep a balanced mix but running the football isn’t easy against a pretty good Toledo front seven. Fortunately, the Rocket’s defense is their weakness so Ohio should find a few ways to score some points in this one.
The Bobcats are finding ways to keep games close this year. In fact, they’ve been victorious in four of their last five, and six of their eight games have been decided by 10 points or fewer.
Even though Toledo can score, the Bobcats seem to just keep hanging around whoever. They haven’t lost a game by more than nine points all year and that was against the Vols in Tennessee. Get More Sports says why wait around for a MAC over to develop late into the fourth quarter. Play the numbers on this one, take the Bobcats to cover the 16.5.
