Preview: #13 Ohio State vs. Toledo Rockets

Eric Page is the fuel to the Rockets O

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter this game with the streak of 32,845 days since an Ohio-based team has beaten the kings of the Buckeye state. Tomorrow, the Toledo Rockets have one of the best chances to do so on paper then any other team since 2003. Before that, after their first loss to Oberlin (7-6 loss) OSU is 42-0-1 against teams in Ohio. While this Rockets team is capable of doing some good things against Ohio State, they haven't put up any points on OSU at all in the 2 times that they've played them.

This time around, it might be tougher on OSU's defense. Toledo runs a spread-based attack, and behind this is a prediction from many experts for the Rockets to win the MAC. While that in itself isn't overally impressive compared to a winner of the SEC, against a lower tier opponent, Ohio State chose one of the best. Don't forget that Ohio State is missing players such as DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor (left for NFL), starting O-lineman Mike Adams, and Boom Herron. Toledo has a right to come in guns blazing, for if their offense can score against our stout defense, then Luke Fickell must rely on the offense that features Joe Bauserman at QB, and that's 1 game of experience against Akron.

The real factor that may strike some uncomfortable feelings in Buckeye Nation is that Toledo has played, and beaten, BCS teams before. Purdue last season fell to the Rockets at home 31-20, while the year before Toledo beat Colorado of the Big 12 (who is on OSU's schedule) 54-38. Of course, who can forget the incredible win over Michigan in the Big House 13-10, that finished the Wolverines off with a 100 yard INT return for a TD. This decade alone, they've taken down Kansas, Penn State, Cincinnati, and Minnesota.

Ohio State is going to rely on the defense to keep things comfortable for Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller. The running back core get back Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry, although Berry might not see too many snaps, as the coaches are trying to get him back into football game shape. They'll have to bring some force, this Rockets team is no Akron.

My Prediction: I may have been a little pessamistic-the world is ending-type feeling up above, but my point is that this is a decent football team that can give Ohio State a real look before heading down to Miami to take on the Hurricanes. I think the running game will be extremely important, and if the defense plays even better than they did against Akron, this is a controllable game for Luke Fickell's staff. Toledo might be able to get an early score, but the Buckeyes have to overcome that and continue to play 60 minutes. Ohio State wins 31-10.