Toledo football game-by-game predictions for 2021

Aug. 29—Game week has arrived at the University of Toledo.

And this time it will start on schedule with full stadiums.

The Rockets are coming off a 4-2 season in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on college football. This year isn't do-or-die for Jason Candle and Co., but it's time for UT to capitalize on having the Mid-American Conference's best roster.

In recent seasons, Toledo has been considered the favorite or one of the top contenders, with a malady, inexplicable loss, and sometimes both contributed to its downfall. MAC West foe Ball State is the favorite this season, and Toledo is playing the role of the closest pursuer.

If you're a Toledo fan, it might be wise to keep the first Saturday in December clear.

Here's a game-by-game look at the schedule.

Sept. 4: Norfolk State

Norfolk State hasn't played since November of 2019 after its 2020 fall season and 2021 spring season were canceled. The Spartans were 5-7 in 2019 and haven't had a winning season in a decade. The Glass Bowl should be an exciting place to be considering it'll be the first time fans can attend a game in nearly two calendar years, and the city should be abuzz because of the Solheim Cup.

Winner: Toledo

Sept. 11: at Notre Dame

The most important game on the schedule, even with its nonconference designation, because a win would elevate the Rockets to rare air. The spot on the calendar is perfect for UT, which opens the season with an FCS opponent. Meanwhile, Notre Dame plays at Florida State on the previous Sunday night. The Irish only return two starters on offense and six on defense. Quarterback Jack Coan, a transfer from Wisconsin, is a significant dropoff from Ian Book. Toledo should be within striking distance deep into the second half.

Winner: Notre Dame

Sept. 18: Colorado State

The Rams have a solid football history, but second-year coach Steve Addazio is in the midst of a rebuild. Year 1 didn't go according to plan because of the pandemic, with Colorado State falling behind because of a nonexistent spring. A 1-3 season didn't portend great things, although the Rams sacked the quarterback nearly better than every team in the country. Offensively, however, Colorado State is plodding and out-of-touch with today's game.

Winner: Toledo

Sept. 25: Ball State

The last time Toledo traveled to Muncie, it lost 52-14, and many wondered if there was something amiss with the program. The Rockets return to the scene of the most lopsided loss of the Candle era intent on exacting revenge and make themselves the MAC frontrunner. Ball State is loaded and coming off a one-loss season and national ranking. The Cardinals have one of the league's top QBs in Drew Plitt, but UT could make hay as Ball State fields a vulnerable secondary.

Winner: Toledo

Oct. 2: at UMass

Former MAC opponent Massachusetts is arguably the worst team in the country. Perhaps the hardest place to win in FBS, UMass has never won more than four games since making the jump from FCS in 2012. Current coach Walt Bell is 1-15 in three seasons, and it isn't going to get much better in 2021. This should be a cakewalk for the Rockets.

Winner: Toledo

Oct. 9: Northern Illinois

The days of Northern Illinois being an annual stumbling block for Toledo are in the past. Quite simply, Toledo is a significantly better program. The gulf has widened significantly since NIU beat the Rockets in 2018 and 2019. Thomas Hammock's two seasons as head coach have sent the once-proud Huskies tumbling down the MAC's pecking order. He's 5-13 overall and coming off an 0-6 season.

Winner: Toledo

Oct. 16: at Central Michigan

One of the most underrated games on the schedule when you factor the quality of the opponent and that it's away from the Glass Bowl. Ball State and Toledo have sucked most of the oxygen out of the MAC West discussion, while Jim McElwain's Chippewas patiently lurk in the background. Central Michigan returns 20 starters, plus a transfer quarterback from Washington (Jacob Sirmon). The offense could make headlines in the MAC and the CMU defense forced 15 turnovers on 84 possessions last season.

Winner: Toledo

Oct. 23: Western Michigan

Last season's final-minute collapse against Western Michigan was an all-time stunner. If you think it won't give UT extra motivation this year, you might live on Mars. The Broncos have 16 returning starters — eight on offense, eight on defense. But it's the defense that remains a glaring issue, having allowed 34.2 points per game in 2020. It's a unit that has to improve to tame Toledo.

Winner: Toledo

Nov. 2: Eastern Michigan

A pushover no more, Eastern Michigan has turned into a pesky opponent. But being an annoyance doesn't always translate to wins for the Eagles. Ben Bryant, a transfer quarterback from Cincinnati, could provide a boost. More important for Eastern, however, is a defense that must improve dramatically.

Winner: Toledo

Nov. 10: at Bowling Green

Like the Ball State game, BGSU represents a return to a horror scene. In 2019, Scot Loeffler's first year as head coach, the Falcons upset Toledo and provided a massive shot in the arm for the rebuilding program. The problem is, it has been mostly downhill since then. BGSU remains one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the country. Even in a rivalry game, an upset is not in the cards in 2021.

Winner: Toledo

Nov. 16: at Ohio

Despite not winning a MAC title since 1968, Ohio is always a contender and no game against the Bobcats is easy. Frank Solich or not, traveling to Athens on a short turnaround in November will not be easy. They return seven starters on both sides of the ball, including their most important players on offense. Unbeaten MAC seasons are rare. This game jumps out as a trap.

Winner: Ohio

Nov. 27: Akron

After a stretch of two road games in six days, Toledo gets 10 days off. And then the Rockets return for one of their easiest games of the season. The Zips have major holes on offense and defense, and Toledo has the players to exploit weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Senior day at the Glass Bowl could quickly turn into a snoozer.

Winner: Toledo