Team Previews: #48, Toledo

Welcome to the 2017 CollegeSportsCoverage Top 50 preview. Every other day we preview a new team in my top 50 rankings. Todays team is:

The Toledo Rockets

Conference

MAC (West)

2016 Record

9-4 (Lost Camelia Bowl)

Head Coach

Jason Candle (9-4, entering 2nd year)

Coordinators

OC- Brian Wright

DC- Brian George

Players Lost

RB Kareem Hunt

WR Corey Jones

TE Michael Roberts

Key Players

QB Logan Woodside

WR Cody Thompson

RB Terry Swanson

CB Trevon Mathis

Recruiting

National Rank: 79

MAC Rank: 1

Top Recruits

OL Kedonis Haslem

OLB Tadarrius Patterson

DT Tyrone Chambers

TE Drew Rosi

2016 Recap

The problem for the Rockets last year was very clear. It was the defense. In Toledo’s four losses the offense averaged 8.8, 7.5, 8.4, and 6.9 yards per play. The team was lead heavily by running back Kareem Hunt, but with Hunt now out of the picture QB Logan Woodside and RB Terry Swanson need to step up. Fortunately for Jason Candle, Logan Woodside posted a passer rating of 183.3 in his first year, which was second in the FBS. Alongside him in the backfield, Swanson has rushed for 2,238 yards and 17 TDs in 3 seasons. On the other side of the ball, there are questions at the safety positions, but DC Brian George is loaded with talent at corner and in the front seven. With a much weaker schedule than last year, we might just see Toledo in a New Year’s 6 Bowl.

Schedule

Aug. 31: Elon

Sep. 9: at Nevada

Sep. 16: Tulsa

Sep. 23: at Miami (FL)

Oct. 7: Eastern Michigan

Oct. 14: at Central Michigan

Oct. 21: Akron

Oct. 26: at Ball State

Nov. 2: Northern Illinois

Nov. 8: at Ohio

Nov. 15: at Bowling Green

Nov. 24: Western Michigan

Record Projection

W
W
W
L
W
W
W
W
W
W

W
W

(11-1)

MVPs

Logan Woodside

Terry Swanson