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posted July 15, 2008 at 16:55 in NCAA F Articles

The Toledo Rockets have posted back-to-back 5-7 seasons, which has been disappointing for NCAA football betting fans of the Rockets considering they won at least eight games in every other season under their current head coach Tom Amstutz (five season).

Part of the problem has been the lack of a decent quarterbacks since Bruce Gradkowski entered the NFL Draft and for last year specifically, key injuries plagued the Rockets. College football betting enthusiasts should look for a winning bounce-back this year.

Offense

For the first time since the Rockets lost the aforementioned Gradkowski, they enter a season settled at quarterback. Aaron Opelt enters his junior season with 15 starts to his name, but more importantly, had a couple of big games last year.

He’s good, but the question is can he blossom in his junior season and show the consistency that elite players display week in, week out.

He’ll be working with excellent weapons. Stephen Williams and Nick Moore were the first receivers tandem in Toledo history to become all-conference in the same year.

There’s a couple of key vacancies left by graduation: left tackle and running back. Jalen Parmele was the best weapon on offense last year but DaJuan Collins is ready to step in and fill his shoes. At left tackle, John Greco’s departure left a big void but Mike VanDerMeulen looks capable of filling it. He’s performed well in spring practice.

The offense isn’t really a concern for the Rockets. They have plenty of weapons and will score frequently, particularly if Collins can be a threat in the running game. And given Opelt’s expected growth, the offense could be as strong as it has been in three years.

Defense

Toledo’s defense was downright brutal last year. They ranked 117th in scoring defense and basically couldn’t cover any receivers all game long. Part of the problem was the worst pass rush in the country, which only produced nine sacks.

But two things point to that changing this year: players returning from injuries and the focus to rebuild the talent along the line.

Last year, when Doug Westbrook, Sean Williamson and Tyrell Herbert were lost for the season, the backups simply weren’t good enough to replace the starters. But spring practices have been all about adding depth along the defensive line and that fact combined with the return of the aforementioned three players should improve the weakest part of the team.

Outlook

With a healthy roster, Toledo should be back to at least seven or eight wins, which is roughly their norm under Amstutz.

The big improvement should be a potent offense that is now steady at the quarterback position and a much-improved – or healthier – defense, which allowed nearly 40 points per game last season.

Toledo is a solid team and don’t be surprised if they win their division in the MAC.

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