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2009 Toledo Rockets Football Preview

Toledo's Offense:

Aaron Opelt has shown flashes of being something really special for Toledo. He has the tools to lead this team and with backup QB DJ Lenehan, UT has solid depth. Toledo features the deepest and most talented group of RBs in the league with DaJuane Collins and Morgan Williams. Williams ran for a school record 300-yards against Miami (O) last year and finished the season with over 1,000 yards rushing – as a backup. Stephen Williams has all conference abilities at WR and the Rockets have several quality options at TE. Toledo’s offensive line has the ability to be one of the league’s best. Overall Toledo returns nine starters from an offense that under-performed in 2008.

Toledo's Defense:

For Toledo to become a factor again in the MAC, the defense needs a major overhaul. In the last three years Toledo has given up an average of 31 points per game (2008), 39 (2007) and 28 (2006). It starts up front where Toledo produced only 10 QB sacks last season. Archie Donald paces the LB corps after leading the team with 119 total tackles in ’08. Barry Church is one of the best safeties in the country and will be playing in the NFL next year.

Intangibles for the 2009 Rockets:

For Toledo to become a factor again in the MAC, the defense needs a major overhaul. In the last three years Toledo has given up an average of 31 points per game (2008), 39 (2007) and 28 (2006). It starts up front where Toledo produced only 10 QB sacks last season. Archie Donald paces the LB corps after leading the team with 119 total tackles in ’08. Barry Church is one of the best safeties in the country and will be playing in the NFL next year.

Toledo's 2009 Outlook:

Outside of Miami, no MAC program needed a coaching change more than Toledo. Not long ago Toledo was the face of MAC football on ESPN but the program turned very stale under Tom Amstutz over the past three seasons with frequent blow-out losses, poor discipline and overall lack of detail or preparation. Enter Tim Beckman, a guy with strong ties to UT’s arch-rival (BGSU) and a disciple of Urban Meyer & Jim Tressel. This year Toledo should be fun to watch and will most certainly be a better team. But playing a challenging schedule that includes Purdue, Colorado, Ohio State & Central Michigan won’t be easy for this new coaching staff. Don’t be surprised if UT jumps to six, seven or even eight wins in 2009. Winning the MAC west is not an option this year but is a strong possibility in the not to distant future.

The Big Game for the Rockets in 2009:

October 10, hosting Western Michigan; throughout the 1990s and well into the new millennium the Rockets dominated this series but Western has won three straight by an average of 15 points per contest. With the Broncos considered one of the two best teams in the MAC this year, this will be a true litmus test to see how far the Rockets have traveled under Beckman.

Team Article by Evan Meyer of Sports Vault - Especially for VanDelaySports.com
Predictions, Stats, Key Game & Outlook by Nick Gerogosian of VanDelaySports.com

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