I think they stink.
They lost a lot of good players and have some injuries which are keeping them from being as good as the past. That's fine, so are we... and that's college football.
But they have the darn near worst schedule in the conference, and IMO they beat Northwestern when they were playing like dog crap to start the season.
We have one common opponent, with a 2 TD swing in the results vs. CMU. Both games at home for each respective school.
Our WMU game to their Kent State game is not comparable (like we thought) because as we have seen WMU is actually a formidable MAC team this season. Unless we lose to Umass, or struggle with Kent I am going to guess we will win the following game vs. NIU. Maybe not a big win, because of the (rivalry) factor, and obviously both teams will be battling. How we win THAT game doesn't matter to me.
But I think NIU will probably lose another MAC game, maybe be 5-3 or 4-4 when it's all said and done.
One thing Toledo has that NIU doesn't is DEPTH. How many teams can respond to injuries like Toledo has. We've gone through the meat of our schedule as far as big time opponents go, and no we didn't play perfect... but the seniors are going for the MACC and every team in the way has a target on their back.
I am disgusted when people make their MAC power rankings, and Toledo is in the same tier with NIU. I am disgusted when SB nation has an underdog poll of the best G5 teams and NIU is 7th, and Toledo is off the list of top 15.
NIU plays BSU 6 days before us, and Toledo will have 7 days of preparation after a 10 day layoff before Kent State.
If Toledo fails to execute for 4 quarters THIS year vs. the Huskies, it's on the coaches because there should be NO Excuses.
The MAC West is in our control...
It starts with Umass