Toledo Rockets 2022 College Football Preview
June 28, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 7-6
The Rockets did a lot of good things on the stat sheet but still found a way to lose six games. Five of those defeats came by seven points or less, but doesn’t it ALWAYS seem to be SOMETHING with these guys? Losing three MAC games in the span of four weeks by a combined eight points did them in but they kept fighting and won their final three regular season contests. Just when you thought they were on a roll they SHAT the BED in the Bahamas Bowl and lost to MTSU as double-digit favorites. Ladies and gentlemen, the Toledo Rockets.
Toledo Rockets 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Rockets rolled on the ground LY (196 YPG, #4 MAC) and did enough in the THROW GAME (#61 FBS) to score an impressive 33 PPG (#26 FBS). Toledo uncovered a STAR in the making in QB Dequan Finn who posted a sparkling 18-2 TD to INT mark whilst rushing for 501 yards and 9 TDs. He’ll own the starting role 100% of the time barring an unforeseen injury and that alone should make them much better on 3rd downs (#97 FBS LY). Five of the top-six yardage gainers from LY depart but they bring back #1 WR Devin Maddox. Losing 13-year vet Bryant Koback at RB is a crusher (1,400, 5 TD, 30 receptions) so it’ll be interesting to see how quickly the new skill position players can gel. Maryland transfer RB Peny Boone has fine pedigree but has yet to prove he can be THE MAN. Three starters return to an OL that has some good size and note that guard Nick Rosi missed LY due to injury. Any offense with Finn at QB is gonna be scary but we’ll need to see how they come out of the chute before we crown them as the ‘best offense like, everrr’.
DEFENSE
We’re excited about the potential on offense, but we’re REALLY excited about the REALITY on defense. Toledo was excellent LY (#2 MAC total D, #4 run defense, #1 pass efficiency D) and really got after the QB (39 sacks, #3 MAC). Things look SPICY heading into 2022 as they return eight starters and nine of their top-11 tacklers from the 2021 squad. The DL is phenomenal and there’s no doubt that DE Jamal Hines (1st Team MAC, 10 sacks) and DT Desjuan Johnson (12.5 TFL, 5 QBH) will continue to dominate. The LB unit will be fine but they lose a pair of doods in the secondary to the NFL and recall that they fielded a stellar pass D LY (56%, 6.3 YPA). This is the best stop unit in the MAC on paper and it’s not close.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s a mixed bag. KR Jacquez Stuart is a good one (27.9, TD LY) but they need to work in a new primary PR. PK Thomas Cluckey (The CLUCKSTER) is back but he was a DRUNKEN SAILOR from 40+ LY (4-11). Oh, and they’ll have a new punter in 2022.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It doesn’t look bad. They could be favored in as many as 11 games (at Ohio St) and miss Miami Ohio from the East division. It doesn’t get easier than starting with Long Island and Massachusetts.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 24th – at San Diego St
The Rockets travel out west AFTER getting destroyed by Ohio St and BEFORE starting MACtion. Bad spot, yo.
Season Win Total
perBetOnline June 28
Over 7.5 -140
Under 7.5 +110
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Eight wins seems reasonable. Seven wins is the floor and they could win as many as ten games.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Despite being chronic UNDERACHIEVERS you have to respect the fact that the Rockets haven’t had a losing season since 2009 (!).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Ok, we’ll bite. This program and their fans deserve a team that can CRUSH and KILL in MAC play and this squad looks great on paper. We realize that games aren’t played “on paper” or by little men hiding in your TV set, but we’ll call for a trip to the MAC Championship Game.
Liftoff, baby !
Want more Toledo football ?
WEBSITE
https://utrockets.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://csnbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=479
NEWS
https://www.hustlebelt.com/toledo-rockets
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2649/toledo-rockets