The Liberty Flames and Toledo Rockets face off on Tuesday in the college football Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. This is the first meeting played between the two teams in recent history.
Liberty comes into this game with an 8-4 record, and they have gone 5-7 against the spread. Liberty played well to start the season, but they limped their way to this bowl game. In the last game against New Mexico State, the defense gave up 49 points, and that led to the defeat. Two games ago, against Virginia Tech, Liberty was defeated 23-22. Coach Hugh Freeze has also left to take the Auburn job. Liberty has played two quarterbacks all season, and it probably will be the same in this game. Liberty is averaging 28.2 points, while their defense is giving up 24.9 points per game.
On the other side of this matchup is the Toledo Rockets, who sit with an 8-5 record, and they have gone 5-8 against the spread. In the last game against Ohio, the defense only gave up seven points, and they were able to win by ten points. DeQuan Finn completed 16 of his 25 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Toledo is averaging 32.1 points, while their defense is giving up 25.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 39th in college football. In this game, they are going to need quarterback play, and to really put the pressure on them with their offense.
Toledo is 5-0 against the spread in their last six games against the Independents. The over is 8-0 in the Rocket's last eight games following an against the spread win. The Over is 6-1 in Rocket's last 7 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
I expect good quarterback play for both of these teams, and that is going to be the difference, as this game is higher scoring. Toledo is averaging 32.1 points per game, and they are going to score at least that here. This game is going to go over 60 points, and will be a very comfortable over bet.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
Mitch's Take...
