The final day of regular season MAC football is almost here. That usually brings at least one big matchup, and this year that game will be played in Mt. Pleasant, MI. That is where Central Michigan hosts Toledo at noon in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
With Western Michigan falling to . . .
Having already distinguished themselves with a remarkable turnaround season, the Chippewas are now in a position to add plenty of icing and decorations to a delicious 2019 cake.
Toledo, meanwhile, is stumbling to the finish line. A four-game win streak in September and early October helped UT reach bowl eligibility relatively early. However, the Rockets are riding a two-game losing streak and have lost four of the last six. Their two wins in that span were by a combined six points, with a 34-34 victory over Eastern Michigan requiring overtime.
Toledo has surrendered 31 or more points in each of the last five outings and gave up 49 to Buffalo last week.
Such generosity doesn't bode well for a team that is about to face Central Michigan squad that has scored 42 or more points four times during the last six games. CMU won five of those contests, with the only loss being a 42-30 setback at Buffalo (Oct. 26). The last two games were victories over Northern Illinois (48-10) and Ball State (45-44).
Central trailed BSU 41-24 late in the third stanza last week but scored 21 of the game's final 24 points to snatch a win that now has CMU in a position to reach the MAC Championship game. The Chippewas chances are enhanced with the battle taking place in Mt. Pleasant, where CMU is 5-0. The Rockets, meanwhile, are 1-4 in road tilts.
ABOUT TOLEDO . . .
>> The Rockets tend to roll as their run game rolls. They lead the league in rushing, averaging 237.6 ypg. However, they are eighth in passing (212.9 ypg). Overall, Toledo is third in total offense (450.3 ypg) and seventhin scoring offense (29.1 ppg).
>> Bryant Koback is fourth among MAC rushers, averaging 105.9 ypg. His biggest game was the critical OT win against Eastern Michigan when he carried 32 times for 259 yards and two scores. For the season, he owns 11 TDs
He had just two carries for 14 yards against NIU, but logged 17 rushes for 99 yards (5.8 ypc) and a score in the loss to Buffalo.
>> Shakif Seymore is part of the Tockets 1-2 punch at running back. He has provided 728 yards and five touchdowns with his 149 carries.
>> Junior QB Eli Peters completed 10-of-17 for 163 yards with one interception against Buffalo. Carter Bradley was 6-of-17 for 85 yards in that contest.
>> Buffalo ran for 331 yards against Toledo, which is 10th in rushing defense. The Bulls ground game provided six of seven TDs.
>> Danzel McKinley Lewis registered four catches for 88 yards to lead Rocket receivers against UB.
ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN
>> The Chippewas have developed a balanced run/pass offense. Although they are sixth among MAC teams rushing the football, Jonathan Ward ranks third with 107.6 ypg. The senior is second in scoring, averaging 10 ppg with 15 TDs in nine games.
Senior quarterback Quinten Dormady is third in passing yards (247.2 ypg)
>> Sophomore Kalil Pimpleton tops the conference with 6.3 catches per contest. He is second in receiving yards (67.1 ypg). Junior teammate Jacorey Sullivan is third with 62.9 ypg.
>> Senior Sean Adesanya has seven solo sacks, tied for highest among MAC defenders. He tops the MAC in tackles for loss (14.5 tfl).
>> Central Michigan is last among MAC teams in penalties, drawing 89 flats for 694 yards (63.1 ypg).
>> Both Toledo and Central Michigan are negative on turnover margin: (CMU is minus-6) (UT is minus-8).