The greatest rivalry in the Mid-American Conference is maybe just a little bit greater this year. Longtime followers of the Toledo-Bowling Green grudge match might argue that supposition. How can you go any higher than the ultimate, they might say? If you wear the Midnight Blue and Gold or the Orange and Brown, The Game simply can't get any bigger.
Point taken. But for the record, here is what else is at stake this Saturday, besides bragging rights, ownership of the Peace Pipe and future years of reliving the glory of victory or heartache of defeat.
1) For Toledo, a share of its fifth MAC West Division title in six years and chance to defend its 2001 MAC title at the league's championship game vs. Marshall in Huntington on Dec .7. 2) For Bowling Green, a chance to share the MAC West crown with Northern Illinois. The Huskies would advance to Huntington by virtue of their win over the Falcons on Nov. 9. 3) For both teams, a chance to make a statement to the nation that they belong in a bowl game.
For the Rockets, this Saturday's game culminates a four-game series that began back on Nov. 9 in the Central Michigan game. The Rockets knew then that one loss in any of their final four games spelled doom for their chances. They have won three straight, including a brilliant 33-30 win at Northern Illinois last week. Now just one game stands between Coach Tom Amstutz's crew and the goal they established nearly a year ago, before the cheers of the Rocket faithful at the Motor City Bowl had barely died down.
BG. Toledo. Enough talk. The Game is finally here.
Let's break this down....shall we
Now everybody in the nation knows a little bit if any about both teams. Last year The Nation got to see Toledo a few times on TV and really got to see a good game when the Rockets hostes the Blundering Terds in Toledo and saw Chester Taylor rally his troops from a 23 point deficit. Ahhhhhh Chester Taylor, our great running back....1 of many

But he has left us...along with 21 other seniors. No worries though....for we have the "Baby Backs" and the all-surprising Brian Jones.
Bowling Green on the other hand...I mean come on they were a Top 25 team and beat 2 teams from the Big 12. Yea who cares. This team was never a Top 25....this year in the MAC....nobody should be. Disgusted with the OOC play. BG was never the best team in the MAC...and they never will be until they get a defense. Josh Harris only plays QB ya know. I realized this BG stuff was all hoopla when they traveled to Mt. Pleasent. Central Michigan did things to that BG defense that Gary Pinkel's Mizzou Tigers couldn't. And with Derrick Vickers taking advantage.....it set the blue print for the rest of the MAC. A near loss to Central Michigan, a near loss to Western Michigan, a loss to NIU, and a ass whoopin by South Florida. Top 25? I think not. HOWEVER - This BG Offense will not be overlooked. Josh Harris an All-MAC QB that can beat you in so many ways....Robert Redd w great receiver that has been underrated all season...and Joe Alls who`s a decent running back.
Toledo Offense
Well....Toledo has been known for a great offense....even when Gary Pinkel was here. Last year, our great spread offense came about and the results are nothing but great. Nobody has been able to stop the Toledo offense...
NOBODY! Yes that's including the all mighty defense of the Pitt Panthers! I really dont want to look at the win's by Toledo....but let me break down the loses and look behind the box score.
Toledo @ Pitt and what happened.
Toledo took an early 6-0 lead against this great defense. But Mr. Penn Football Mr. Rutherfurd would not be denied as the Toledo defense was out there too long. The final score was 39-17 but what realy happened was this. After Pitt came down to take the lead at 7-6 Toledo drove down the field and at the Pitt 10 yard line, Brian Jones had his pass batted in the air and Pitt picked it off. They took that turnover and cashed in for the TD (14 point swing). Now 14-6 and Toledo AGAIN in the redzone....a big run by Will "The Steel" Bratton to set up a TD. Next plays, fumble. Pitt recovers and cashes in for the TD. Now its a 28 point swing! To make a long story short here....Pitt had no answer for the Toledo Offense. Toledo ran it....Toledo threw it....and Toledo turned it over
Miami(OH) @ Toledo
Toledo had 4th and 1 twice on the Miami 10 and couldnt convert. Had the ball on the Miami 13 and fumbled. 3 turnovers in the redzone. BLAH. Held Big Ben to only 299 yards.
Toledo @ Minnesota
MAFIA. Punt return for a TD called back. The call was so bad that the Big Ten publicly admitted it was a bad call, some refs in that crew got fired....they also did the Purdue - WF game.
So Toledo COULD EASILY be undefeated right now. By they arent however, the chance to defend there MAC Championship supremecy is only a game away. Brian Jones is the catalyst, the hero, the leader, the QB! Brian Jones is leading the NATION in completion percentage at 72%! He has thrown for 18 TD and 6 INTs. Now if you ever watched a Toledo game before, you can see the offense is based on dinks and dunks. BUT - the thing with Jones is....he`s smart! I underestimated his ability to make good reads....but he has proved me and others very wrong. And he can also throw the deep ball....if any of you saw the NIU/Toledo game, you`ll know what Iam talking about
Toledo's "Baby Backs" Now if have followed or even kept your ear opened about Toledo the last 7 years or so...you`ll notice a pattern.....Toledo ALWAYS has a GREAT running game. Wesean Tait, Dwayne Harris, and Chester Taylor. This year Will "The Steel" Bratton can only carry the ball a limited amount of times due to his sickness sickel cell(the blood disorder thing). So in steps Trinty Dawson(Red Shirt Freshman), Astin Martin(True Fresh) and Quiton Broussard(True Fresh). All Freshman, hence the name "baby backs". And of course, they have done nothing but produce and put up numbers. The starter is Trinty Dawson is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He is a scat back more or less and does a very good job blocking. Astin Marting who`s averaging 6.7 yards per carry is a treat to watch! He`s VERY fast and VERY quick. Makes alot of defenders miss him and he`s a good back to split out. Will Bratton will just run you over...nuff said. Together the 4 running backs have ran for over 1900 yards - which is good for being in a spread offense. They are averaging 5.4 yards a game

and 23 TDs togther. Of course, we have the biggest OLine in the nation avg. 6'5" 300something
Our Wide Outs kinda get overlooked. Iam not saying we have the best WRs....but they are good. Carl Ford will probably be the all-time leading receiver in school history by the time he leaves and he`s very versitale. Makes alot of defenders miss him. Manny Johnson and Dante Green are good as well....but they are even better at blocking down field.
Bowling Green Offense
This offense is wide open. They dont run a spread offense...but defenses worry about Josh Harris so much that they forget there other assignments. BGs 2 loses....
BG @ NIU
Bad Day for the Falcon's. They gave up 212 RUSHING YARDS!

comeeeee on! If they gave up 212 to NIU....what are they gonna give up to Toledo :shrug: Now BG did manage to muster out 23 first downs and 357 yards of offense. But it was all too late, as the Huskies D prevailed.
BG @ South Florida
BG got spanked. Plain and simple. South Florida is TOUGH - FAST -and Athletic.
Josh Harris is a good QB. He was a back-up till Andy Schuam messed up or something last season. What Harris brings to the table is this.....strong arm and fast legs. However, when he`s under pressure he makes dumb decisions. He tucks the ball and runs right away rather then sit in the pocket and just wait that extra second. If you watched the NIU game, you`ll know what I mean. The Toledo D will have there hands full with Harris....thats for sure.
Robert Redd. He`s a WR that was talked highly of in the beginning but hasnt been talked about lately. Not sure why...I mean he`s a great WR. HE has 78 catches for over 900 yards with 9 TDs and averaging 84 yards per game. Not bad. His counter part James Dawkins is the closest to Redd with 505 recieving yards

. Bigg Diff. Expect Toledo to have like 4 or have a nickel package to help the corners out.
The running game is lead by Joe Alls. There was a big deal made about him when Urban Meyer came in. Alls wanted to transfer but deciced to stay....blah blah blah. He has done well this season for theh type of offense that Meyer runs...Gained about 988 yards this year averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Not a bad blocking back...he`s a very good reciver out of the backfield though. Avg. 9.6 yarsd per carry
Running out space....will continue write-up later...