Buffalo @ Toledo
Last week, we saw the biggest of underdogs win, and one of the MACs best lose to a up and coming team. Buffalo coming back in teh 4th quarter to not also win - but surely cover any number that Ohio was laying against the Bulls. This week, Dallas Pelz was named MAC special teams player of the week and Mark Graham got MAC defensive player of the week. Hop a few states over, and you woulda witnessed a mouling. Ball St ripping that Toledo defense like butter. But what we gotta look at is this...HOW, WHY did they win????? I got the answers.....
Why lay 26 points?
I had the luxury of watching the Toledo game. It was being broadcasted on the local channel here in Toledo. As soon as I turned it on, they showed the field....all brown with a little bit of green. I shook my head in utter disbelief - and regretted that i didnt check the weather reports. This is why Toledo lost the game. RAIN! Its not an excuse - I dont make excuses. It's a plain FACT! Toledo does 2 things that have made them succesful..
1) Run the ball
2) Move laterally
The Toledo running game has been strong since the Nick Saban days. Having backs such as Weseasn Tait, Dwayne Harris, Chester Taylor, and now the "Baby Backs" It's no secret that Toledo has the #1 running game in the MAC. The have the most depth and the best runners. But these runners are different then most. They are scat backs. For those who have played football and had a scat back type player on their team - you`ll know what Iam talking about. A scat back needs to be able to make precision cuts on a dime. A wet field doesnt help them. Time and time again, I watched the Toledo backs fall 2 or 3 yards before the hole opened up for them. Falling down put Toledo in a 3rd and long position many times - which forced Gradkowski to throw a wet heavy ball and twice in the redzone get tipped and picked off.
Whats the surface have anything to do with this?
It has alot to do with it. This will be the first time the Bulls come to Rocket country. They will find themselves in a dangerous area. Toledo only losing 1 game since 2000(Miami last season) and running up scores like whoa. Even if it rains, the field is crowned enough to drain the water and the neXturf will not be affected as much.
Yea and...?
Toledo is capable of putting together 5 minutes drives on anybody. Buffalo does not have a big DLine. They will be worn down before the 4th quarter. Toledo goes 5 deep in running backs. And those backs are capable of starting anywhere in the MAC(not NIU or CMU) on any giving day. Toledo will score...and score often. Toledo was favored by 29 against EMU few weeks back...are you telling me that Buffalo is better then EMU? I think not. And the line is LOWER??? Gimmie a fawking break - they arent fooling me. The Buffalo defense will have to defend against the biggest OLine in the nation - running backs who are quick and speedy - and recievers who could be ALL-MAC by seasons end.
Anything at stake..?
Toledo MUST win out in order to host the MAC Championship this year. They did it last year - they can do it again. "One game at a time" As Amstutz said last year - I dont think this year would be any different.
