Boise State Broncos @ Toledo Rockets Football Preview

Boise State is used to being on guard whenever it ventures into an enemy lair. However, just to underscore the point a little bit, the Broncos need to make sure they don’t get complacent as they enter week three of the college football season.

After a week off, Boise State resumes its season by traveling to the Glass Bowl in Ohio to take on the Toledo Rockets. While the Broncos had extra time to enjoy their week one win over Georgia in the Georgia Dome, Toledo battled 15 th-ranked Ohio State at Ohio Stadium. After taking a 15-7 lead in the first quarter, a touchdown early in the second half gave the Rockets a 22-21 lead. After a valiant fight, the Rockets eventually fell to the Buckeyes by the score of 27-22. Toledo drove inside the Ohio State 25 and had a very legitimate chance to pull off the most consequential and transformative upset in the program’s entire history. Being able to beat Ohio State would have enabled Toledo to say that it, and not any other Ohio-based school, was able to take down the big, bad Buckeyes. The Rockets came up just short in their quest – they tried to probe the sidelines of the field instead of exploiting the middle – but they still earned a massive amount of respect throughout the Mid-American Conference and the whole of college football. This is not a team Boise State can sleep on, especially in a night game before a crowd that is sure to be raucous.

While the season is young, we may have learned a lot about Toledo in that game against the Scarlet and Gray. The Rockets out-gained Ohio State on the strength of the passing game. Boise State held talented Georgia quarterback to a modest 236 yards and 55 percent completion rating. Toledo could have its work cut out against a Boise State defense that looks to be as strong as it always has been.

Meanwhile, the Broncos pushed almost all doubts aside about its offense in that game. Despite losing two excellent receivers, the offense just keeps churning, mostly thanks to the proficiency of Kellen Moore. The southpaw completed 82% of his passes to throw for 261 yards and three touchdowns against the SEC defense of Georgia. The Broncos also enjoyed the return of tailback D.J. Harper from injury, who pitched in 44 yards to the 129-yard rushing effort. So unfortunately for Toledo, they will not be facing a team on the mend in the fourth-ranked Broncos. But if last week is any indication, the Rockets will be up for the fight.

Be vigilant, Boise State. Toledo will regroup and aim for an upset once again. The Rockets just missed last week, but this time, they’ll be at home, waiting to spring an ambush.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer