After defeating Kent State (0-7, 0-3) 27-6 last Saturday, everyone’s head turned instantly to the biggest matchup of the year— the Battle of I-75.
Matchup History
This will be the 89th time these two archrivals meet on the gridiron, with Toledo just edging out Bowling Green in the all-time series, leading 43-41-4.
A large part of that came at the helm of a nine-game win streak for UT that stretched from 2010 to 2018.
However, since Scott Loeffler took the keys to the program in 2019, this game has been a jump ball.
Toledo still has the edge as they’re 3-2 over the past five years, with the previous two meetings coming down to the wire.
Take away the records, logos and uniforms; this can be anyone’s ballgame, any given year.
The Lowdown
Rivalries are what drive this sport of college football, which we know and love. The hate, bitterness, intensity, you name it, has been present in the Bowling Green-Toledo game each year.
A thriller went BGSU’s way two years ago as the Falcons defeated the Rockets 42-35.
Last year was yet another thriller that went the Rocket’s way, defeating BG 32-31.
Loeffler believes this game has the ingredients to follow suit.
“The exciting thing about this game now is it was so lopsided here a few years ago. Now it’s really turned into a really, really marquee awesome game,” said Loeffler. “Two years up there was an unbelievable game. Last year here, didn’t go our way at the end, but that was an unbelievable game. So I think this has the making to be the same.”
As mentioned in the press conference breakdown earlier this week. Bowling Green is very thin at the wide receiver position, but some positivity stemmed from Loeffler, as he expects all three receivers who missed or left Saturday’s game to suit up and play.
“We’re hoping that they all play. Obviously, when we get closer to the end of the week, we’ll know for sure,” said Loeffler. “But we’re planning on all of them to play.”
Similar to Bowling Green, Toledo has a question mark at an important position on offense.
Quarterback Tucker Gleason left their week seven game against Buffalo with an injury and didn’t play last week against Northern Illinois.
The backup, John Alan Richter, came in and made his first career start against NIU.
Rockets head coach Jason Candle says they don’t have an answer yet but they will do their best to put a plan in for who does end up starting at quarterback.
“As we progress through practice this week and try to see what it is that we have available to us,” said Candle. “Then from there, try to put a plan around the guy that’s gonna start and go play and play well.”
While the offense averaged 32.3 points per game with Gleason at the helm, the Rockets put up just 13 with Richter under center last week. But they were facing the best defense in the MAC.
Loeffler praised the physicality of the Toledo offense, regardless of who starts at quarterback.
“Offensively, again, I think both quarterbacks are very good. They both throw the ball well, and I think the backs are excellent. The offensive line is generally big and physical, which they are again big and physical. I think their wide receivers present challenges,” said Loeffler. “So it’s not too different than what it’s been over the last six years. Always physical, always well-coached; can run athletic, the fronts are good, the quarterbacks are good. So it’s a good Toledo team, just like it’s always been these last six years.”
The UT offense ranks fourth in the MAC, averaging 29.6 points per game.
The Falcons trail just one spot in the MAC rankings for total offense, as BG scores 25.1 points per game.
When talking about the Rocket defense, Loeffler again related it to past Toledo teams he’s faced.
“Similar to the past, I think they all run extremely well on defense, very athletic in the back end. Linebackers are athletic. Always impressed with their defensive front,” said Loeffler. “The two inside guys are big, powerful guys that can move that causes challenges.”
This is a Toledo team that comes into this matchup ranked second in the entire MAC in total defense, as their defense allows 18.9 points per game.
Similar to the offense, the BG defense trails just one spot behind them in the MAC rankings. Bowling Greens’ defense allows about three more points per game at 21.4.
Likewise, Candle had good things to say about the BG defense.
“Well, veteran at key spots, two really good defensive tackles. Really good corner. Some guys that have been in there with great length and size,” said Candle on Monday. “CJ Brown is not a player that has been there for a long time, but he’s played in Northern Illinois. He’s familiar with our team and, so, I think a cohesive group that wants to pressure you and put some heat on your quarterback and put him in situations where he doesn’t take care of the football.”
You can’t go a preview without mentioning Harold Fannin—the best tight end in the country.
Candle knows the kind of talent he is and knows the preparation for him has to be top-notch.
“They do a good job of trying to put him in positions where they get the matchup that’s favorable to them,” said Candle. “He’s a tremendous player, a tremendous talent. So a lot of respect for him, his game, a lot of respect for the plan that they put around him.”
Candle also knows a player by the name of Terion Stewart—a player who is coming off his best game since week one.
So the Rockets can shut down Fannin all you want, but Stewart is another force to be reckoned with.
“You always wanna try to take away the other team’s best player. But also too, don’t get lost in the shuffle here. The running back there is an extraordinary player that is really hard to tackle, and you have to limit rushing yards,” said Candle. “You have to do a great job making sure that guy gets on the ground before you worry about anything else.”
As if this rivalry game couldn’t get any more intense, it could very well be a MAC championship eliminator as the top two teams in the MAC make it to Detroit as opposed to the divisions we’ve had in years past.
So this game will be as even as ever. As mentioned above, throw away the record, logos and uniforms.
This is as even as a matchup we can get.
25 miles separate these two schools and come 3:30 on Saturday afternoon, there won’t be an ounce of love on that 25 mile stretch on I-75.
Join Falcon Media Sports Network’s Rhys Patrykus and Sean Connelly on Falcon Radio with coverage starting at 3:00 p.m.
