 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Mike Sopher It’s amazing how a week changes the optimism of a season. Less than two weeks ago, Toledo fell in a triple overtime thriller to Big 12 opponent Iowa State. Toledo should have won that game, but it was just not meant to be. And then come the Broncos of Kalamazoo. Rocket fans, players, and coaches perhaps put this game prematurely in the win column. Reality struck and Toledo fell to 0-2 on the year. Granted, Amstutz and Co. have rebounded from a 0-2 start before. In fact, it was two years ago after dismal and embarrassing losses to Minnesota and Kansas that the Rockets rebounded, went on to win a MAC title, and headed to third bowl game in four years. So, don’t panic quite yet. A win on Friday and everyone feels a little better about this season. Still, Rocket fans wonder which team will show up at the Glass Bowl in front of a national audience. Will it be the squad who scared the pants off of Cyclone fans 11 days ago and nearly beat a legit contender for the Big 12 crown? Or will it be the team that got outcoached, outhustled, and outplayed by a Western Michigan squad that everyone, including me, said had no chance to compete for a divisional title? I wish I had the answer to that one. But it remains true that the Rockets must show up with their “A” game against another Big 12 opponent that is 2-0 on the season. Kansas will finally meet its first true test to the season. After wins against Northwestern State and UL-Monroe, the Jayhawks are poised for a 4-0 start if they can get by Toledo this weekend. Surely, some of the members of this year’s squad recall that 63-14 trashing of the Rockets two years ago. But, Coach Mark Mangino will have his guys ready come Friday night. Because Toledo will be looking for a bit of revenge… Kansas boasts a young and talented quarterback, several playmakers on offense, and an interior defense that may give the Toledo running game headaches. This is the game that defines a season. A win on Friday night and the Rockets should be 2-2 heading into Pittsburgh. A loss and Rocket fans may have to settle for a bowl-less season. Remember this: Toledo’s last showing on ESPN was a 45-13 blowout win over the UTEP Miners. Not that it means a whole lot, but Rocket fans would probably ask for similar results. This is a home game in the Glass Bowl where Toledo doesn’t lose a whole lot. The Rockets are 34-2 since the 1999 season and are accustomed to winning big games in front of their fans. They’ll get it done Friday night. This team has too much talent to start off 0-3 despite its youth and inexperience. Toledo 38 Kansas 34 Have a question or comment for Mike? Email |