..To match the mood of his board.

1) No, Missouri is not a Great SEC Team, they are good, not great.
2) Yes Golden does make that much of a difference. He was the one player UT could not block all day.
3) Hunt is hurt, feature backs take a lot of hits and they get banged up.
4) Is Woodside as good as his debut in Cincinnati, did he have an off night last night, did the game delay affect his game, etc? Guess we'll have to wait to see next week. I'm guessing he's somewhere in the middle.
5) Toledo's defense has issues, especially the secondary. We knew that. Campbell say he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. All the fans hate it and opposing quarterbacks love it. Whether he actually loves it or just uses it because of a lack of available/ready talent, he's not going to tell us.
6) The MAC does not have a great team this year. It may not have a good team this year.
7) Bowling Green will win the East with their high school offensive philosophy. No one else int East is worthy of being called a Division 1 team. Akron, the preseason #2 in the East, got destroyed at home by Marshall yesterday.
8) The West is now between Toledo, NIU, and maybe a young/annoying Western Michigan team.

8) The West is now between Toledo, NIU, and maybe a young/annoying Western Michigan team.

I would not take next week's opponent lightly. I'm thinking they're better than Western. The difference is, we have Central at home. Huge game next Saturday. Go Rockets!!!!

Woodside is hurt. Something with his left arm, elbow or shoulder. They worked on it numerous times last night and he was constantly throwing on the sidelines and after every throw was trying to shake out his left side.

(09-21-2014 08:18 AM)letsgoblue Wrote:  8) The West is now between Toledo, NIU, and maybe a young/annoying Western Michigan team.

I would not take next week's opponent lightly. I'm thinking they're better than Western. The difference is, we have Central at home. Huge game next Saturday. Go Rockets!!!!

(09-21-2014 08:44 AM)adunifon Wrote:  Woodside is hurt. Something with his left arm, elbow or shoulder. They worked on it numerous times last night and he was constantly throwing on the sidelines and after every throw was trying to shake out his left side.

Agree. CMU is one of those teams that can play great one week and look awful the next. Toledo gets them at home and CMU's passing game is horrible. I take that back. Their whole offense is terrible. 107th in passing and 110th in rushing.

Hopefully the Woodside injury isn't too bad.

Falcon plucker, I do agree with your #6. The MAC overall is not impressive this season. While winning the MAC (or even just the West Division) would be preferable to not doing so, it wouldn't quite have the ring of a "special season" this time around.

(09-21-2014 08:44 AM)adunifon Wrote:  Woodside is hurt. Something with his left arm, elbow or shoulder. They worked on it numerous times last night and he was constantly throwing on the sidelines and after every throw was trying to shake out his left side.

Particularly later in the game, fans in the stands were questioning why we ran a few more designed QB runs...we're already on our 2nd string QB so maybe Candle needs to dial those back to a couple a game?

(09-21-2014 09:18 AM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(09-21-2014 08:44 AM)adunifon Wrote:  Woodside is hurt. Something with his left arm, elbow or shoulder. They worked on it numerous times last night and he was constantly throwing on the sidelines and after every throw was trying to shake out his left side.

Particularly later in the game, fans in the stands were questioning why we ran a few more designed QB runs...we're already on our 2nd string QB so maybe Candle needs to dial those back to a couple a game?

Yeah -- it doesn't make sense to have your qb take shots like that when you have a crapload of running backs.

Agree 100%. Even with Hunt dinged we have 3-4 capable backs. And please teach Logan to slide with his feet! He's got to take care of his body. So what happened to the throw to the TE and throwing to the RBs? I think I recall Remy catching one, though. Candle seems to think he can will the sideline screen to work. It barely worked with Page and Reedy. Even Mark and Andy were commenting that it pads the completion rate, but as far as yards it is unproductive. What's that saying about trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

That being said I certainly don't hope we lose next week.

Hunt is fine. Precautionary. Maybe a week injury. Nothing serious

The outcome was never in doubt as Rockets got a comfortable win despite being -2 in the turnover column. At times they looked very good and at times not so good. IMO this inconsistency, particularly in the execution phases of the game, is a coaching problem more so than a player problem and, looking to the future, until it is resolved I don't think that we will ever be seeing that very special year that we all hope for. Of course this year the injury situation alone has already been serious enough to ruin any chance of a "special season" even had the coaching been flawless (which it has not been).

Still with the MAC having a major down year, particularly at the top (there is no really good team anywhere in the entire league this year) the race is wide open and UT has as good a chance as anyone to win the MACC. However, at this point there are probably about a half dozen teams that also have a chance so I suspect that the winner will come down to the team that does the least to self destruct.

Every week is important but the next two will be especially so because I believe that both WMU and CMU are better teams than Ball State this year.

(09-21-2014 08:11 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  5) Toledo's defense has issues, especially the secondary. We knew that. Campbell say he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. All the fans hate it and opposing quarterbacks love it.

I'm not convinced that he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. I think it's the only thing he knows. One trick pony. Unfortunately all the other MAC teams know how to make that pony run.

(09-21-2014 09:15 AM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Falcon plucker, I do agree with your #6. The MAC overall is not impressive this season. While winning the MAC (or even just the West Division) would be preferable to not doing so, it wouldn't quite have the ring of a "special season" this time around.

(09-21-2014 09:26 AM)adunifon Wrote:  

(09-21-2014 09:18 AM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(09-21-2014 08:44 AM)adunifon Wrote:  Woodside is hurt. Something with his left arm, elbow or shoulder. They worked on it numerous times last night and he was constantly throwing on the sidelines and after every throw was trying to shake out his left side.

Particularly later in the game, fans in the stands were questioning why we ran a few more designed QB runs...we're already on our 2nd string QB so maybe Candle needs to dial those back to a couple a game?

Yeah -- it doesn't make sense to have your qb take shots like that when you have a crapload of running backs.

(09-21-2014 10:45 AM)T-Town Wrote:  The outcome was never in doubt as Rockets got a comfortable win despite being -2 in the turnover column. At times they looked very good and at times not so good. IMO this inconsistency, particularly in the execution phases of the game, is a coaching problem more so than a player problem and, looking to the future, until it is resolved I don't think that we will ever be seeing that very special year that we all hope for. Of course this year the injury situation alone has already been serious enough to ruin any chance of a "special season" even had the coaching been flawless (which it has not been).

Still with the MAC having a major down year, particularly at the top (there is no really good team anywhere in the entire league this year) the race is wide open and UT has as good a chance as anyone to win the MACC. However, at this point there are probably about a half dozen teams that also have a chance so I suspect that the winner will come down to the team that does the least to self destruct.

Every week is important but the next two will be especially so because I believe that both WMU and CMU are better teams than Ball State this year.

(09-21-2014 11:44 AM)djsfw57 Wrote:  

(09-21-2014 08:11 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  5) Toledo's defense has issues, especially the secondary. We knew that. Campbell say he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. All the fans hate it and opposing quarterbacks love it.

I'm not convinced that he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. I think it's the only thing he knows. One trick pony. Unfortunately all the other MAC teams know how to make that pony run.

Lots of great points today. While I agree, winning the MAC west this year would not be quite as magical as winning it when the conference is strong, I would still love to see a new division and conference championship placard go of on the press box. It is long overdue.

While they may want to add having a quarterback run the ball as another option, and while I think Woodside appears to enjoy it, I don't think he has the frame for it. Maybe Julian once he is ready to become the starter, but I just don't think Woodside is athletic enough to take the hits.

Consistent execution has been one of the major things missing from the offense. It has been a long time since I can remember a Toledo team dominating a game from start to finish. While there are some guys who are just never capable of developing that one skill that elevates their game from good to great, I agree that the majority of that comes from player development and coaching.

As far as the issue of playing off the ball on defense, there has to be a point at which as a coach, you have to realize that it is not effective, especially against better passing teams. If Campbell decides to stay with this philosophy, he is never going to elevate his coaching status. It's just not a philosophy that is going win championships.

With that said, I should go and finish my household duties today, or else I will be in trouble with my number one fan.

And no, I don't really want Toledo to lose next week. GO ROCKETS!

If Toledo is able to win the MAC this season, I don't think that it should be downplayed because the MAC is weak this year. A championship is a championship!

(09-21-2014 04:05 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  If Toledo is able to win the MAC this season, I don't think that it should be downplayed because the MAC is weak this year. A championship is a championship!

I agree----a MAC championship is a MAC championship and I assume that is a team goal every year.

IMHO there have been UT teams that did not win the MACC that played better football than the 2004 team that was the last Rocket team to win the MACC, but when it comes to counting MAC Championships, the 2004 teams gets a nod and those others (2000 for example) do not.

However, it remains to be seen when UT will win the MACC again. Just guessing, but I would think that their chances are better this year than they will be next year, but who knows? Still it is an uphill battle this year (and every year) because there are a lot of teams in the hunt and it only takes one of them to beat you out of a championship.

Just imagine if we can't win a title when the league is down everywhere...

And - given the number of injuries we keep having, it would seem like there has to be a better solution for the field. Any stats on the injuries on various types of fields? Seems like we have a lot of leg injuries.

(09-21-2014 08:11 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  ..To match the mood of his board.

1) No, Missouri is not a Great SEC Team, they are good, not great.
2) Yes Golden does make that much of a difference. He was the one player UT could not block all day.
3) Hunt is hurt, feature backs take a lot of hits and they get banged up.
4) Is Woodside as good as his debut in Cincinnati, did he have an off night last night, did the game delay affect his game, etc? Guess we'll have to wait to see next week. I'm guessing he's somewhere in the middle.
5) Toledo's defense has issues, especially the secondary. We knew that. Campbell say he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. All the fans hate it and opposing quarterbacks love it. Whether he actually loves it or just uses it because of a lack of available/ready talent, he's not going to tell us.
6) The MAC does not have a great team this year. It may not have a good team this year.
7) Bowling Green will win the East with their high school offensive philosophy. No one else int East is worthy of being called a Division 1 team. Akron, the preseason #2 in the East, got destroyed at home by Marshall yesterday.
8) The West is now between Toledo, NIU, and maybe a young/annoying Western Michigan team.

So why do you say that Western is an annoying team?

(09-21-2014 07:32 PM)northrocket43 Wrote:  

(09-21-2014 08:11 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  ..To match the mood of his board.

1) No, Missouri is not a Great SEC Team, they are good, not great.
2) Yes Golden does make that much of a difference. He was the one player UT could not block all day.
3) Hunt is hurt, feature backs take a lot of hits and they get banged up.
4) Is Woodside as good as his debut in Cincinnati, did he have an off night last night, did the game delay affect his game, etc? Guess we'll have to wait to see next week. I'm guessing he's somewhere in the middle.
5) Toledo's defense has issues, especially the secondary. We knew that. Campbell say he loves the scheme of playing off the ball. All the fans hate it and opposing quarterbacks love it. Whether he actually loves it or just uses it because of a lack of available/ready talent, he's not going to tell us.
6) The MAC does not have a great team this year. It may not have a good team this year.
7) Bowling Green will win the East with their high school offensive philosophy. No one else int East is worthy of being called a Division 1 team. Akron, the preseason #2 in the East, got destroyed at home by Marshall yesterday.
8) The West is now between Toledo, NIU, and maybe a young/annoying Western Michigan team.

So why do you say that Western is an annoying team?

Annoying as in young and talented. The kind of team that could give a serious contender a loss, but isn't quite ready to make a run of their own yet.

Quote:Annoying as in young and talented. The kind of team that could give a serious contender a loss, but isn't quite ready to make a run of their own yet.

I agree. They were selected as one of the 'dark horses' for various conferences. Basically, no, WMU's not going to win the West or challenge it at the end of the day. But with the MAC shuffling it's cards this year and not being great, while WMU (and also Miami it seems) improving -- you'll see a fair share of upsets & real close games that you wouldn't expect. WMU will come in and get some wins and will catch a 'good' MAC team this year sleeping & looking ahead.

CMU relies too much on their starting RB-only + star WR. They beat Purdue better than ND did, but got smeared by Syracuse and solidly lost to Kansas. Toledo having them at home, and taking them seriously, should put things at ease as that getting in the way.

But Toledo playing @NIU puts the West title in NIU's hands, with NIU having an easier schedule too.

Ball State lost their offensive mojo, but their D is around. Not awesome, but there + a good coach. I put BSU on the same scale as CMU this year, but CMU just more wonky.

EMU totally sucks, even worse from last year.

1. NIU
1.5. Toledo
4. BSU
4. CMU
4. WMU
7. EMU

1. BGSU
2. Akron
4. Ohio
5. Buffalo
5. Miami-OH
7. UMass
7. Kent State