Toledo (-5) over Ball St
Ball State's one mega-weakness, pass defense, won't likely be exposed by a Toledo team that can't throw. Toledo's Aaron Opelt might be a shot in the arm for the offense at times this year, but he's a wildly inaccurate passer throwing for a mere 49 yards on Northern Illinois last week. If the Ball State run defense can shut down Jalen Parmele and Richard Davis and force Opelt to win the game, it might not be pretty. However Ball State's run defense is hardly a prize. It doesn't help the stats to get rolled over by Michigan for 352 yards and three touchdowns, but the Cardinal defensive front really hasn't been up to the task all year even against the most pedestrian of ground games. The Toledo offensive line appears to have finally found its stride over the last few weeks and should be able to control the game from the start. Nate Davis is making a big pitch for All-MAC status throwing for 1,495 yards and 15 touchdowns. His key is avoiding interceptions having thrown at least one in each of the last five games. With no consistent running game to get excited about, he has to shine to give the Cardinals a shot. Toledo defense forced two turnovers and held during the final 42 seconds to secure a victory over Northern Illinois. The Rockets held NIU tailback Garrett Wolfe to 54 yards and allowed 23 yards net rushing. Toledo coach Tom Amstutz has engineered a masterful way to motivate the Rockets, segmenting the final four games. Toledo knocked off the defending East and West champions in consecutive weeks. They beat Akron 35-20 and Northern Illinois 17-13. True freshman quarterback Aaron Opelt won't dazzle with big numbers, but he has shown poise and the ability to lead the Rockets during a tough season. He NEEDS to play big tonight, the Ball St defense will try and stop the run and he need to find his TE Chris Hopkins who is a very good player. This game will come down to the O-line of Toledo setting the table for the rockets running game. Jalen Parmele rushed for a game-high 131 yards on 31 attempts against No. Ill. Toledo is 3-1 at home and they have started to play the better football of late. This is a very big game for both teams and toledo is a very good home team. Considering they beat No Ill and W Mich of late and Ball st struggling on defense I like the rockets in this contest. It will be a very cold night in the glass bowl. Nate Davis will carry the Cards, so the pass defense will have to step up like the run defense did last week. I also like the match up of coaches in this contest and Amstutz is going for I believe his 40th win which will be a big accomplishment for him and his staff. Just something extra for his kids to put in the tank tonight.
Cheers
Irish
Ball State's one mega-weakness, pass defense, won't likely be exposed by a Toledo team that can't throw. Toledo's Aaron Opelt might be a shot in the arm for the offense at times this year, but he's a wildly inaccurate passer throwing for a mere 49 yards on Northern Illinois last week. If the Ball State run defense can shut down Jalen Parmele and Richard Davis and force Opelt to win the game, it might not be pretty. However Ball State's run defense is hardly a prize. It doesn't help the stats to get rolled over by Michigan for 352 yards and three touchdowns, but the Cardinal defensive front really hasn't been up to the task all year even against the most pedestrian of ground games. The Toledo offensive line appears to have finally found its stride over the last few weeks and should be able to control the game from the start. Nate Davis is making a big pitch for All-MAC status throwing for 1,495 yards and 15 touchdowns. His key is avoiding interceptions having thrown at least one in each of the last five games. With no consistent running game to get excited about, he has to shine to give the Cardinals a shot. Toledo defense forced two turnovers and held during the final 42 seconds to secure a victory over Northern Illinois. The Rockets held NIU tailback Garrett Wolfe to 54 yards and allowed 23 yards net rushing. Toledo coach Tom Amstutz has engineered a masterful way to motivate the Rockets, segmenting the final four games. Toledo knocked off the defending East and West champions in consecutive weeks. They beat Akron 35-20 and Northern Illinois 17-13. True freshman quarterback Aaron Opelt won't dazzle with big numbers, but he has shown poise and the ability to lead the Rockets during a tough season. He NEEDS to play big tonight, the Ball St defense will try and stop the run and he need to find his TE Chris Hopkins who is a very good player. This game will come down to the O-line of Toledo setting the table for the rockets running game. Jalen Parmele rushed for a game-high 131 yards on 31 attempts against No. Ill. Toledo is 3-1 at home and they have started to play the better football of late. This is a very big game for both teams and toledo is a very good home team. Considering they beat No Ill and W Mich of late and Ball st struggling on defense I like the rockets in this contest. It will be a very cold night in the glass bowl. Nate Davis will carry the Cards, so the pass defense will have to step up like the run defense did last week. I also like the match up of coaches in this contest and Amstutz is going for I believe his 40th win which will be a big accomplishment for him and his staff. Just something extra for his kids to put in the tank tonight.
Cheers
Irish
