Toledo (1-0) vs Massachusetts (0-1)
Game Info: Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Glass Bowl)
Betting Odds: Toledo -18.5 / Massachusetts +18.5 --- Over/Under: 51.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UMass Minutemen and the Toledo Rockets meet in week 2 college football action from the Glass Bowl on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UMass vs. Toledo prediction.
UMass Prediction
The UMass Minutemen come into this one looking to bounce back after starting the season on the wrong foot thanks to a 28-14 loss to Eastern Michigan last time out. After this game, the Minutemen face off against another MAC foe when they square off against Buffalo.
Minutemen Show Life In Second Half Vs. Eagles, But Not Enough
Taisun Phommachanh threw for 177 yards on 20 of 30 passing while also rushing for a team-high 57 yards on 16 carries. Jalen John rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries while CJ Hester added 36 rushing yards and a TD as well. Jalen John led UMass with 5 receptions for 42 yards while Jakobie Keeney-James added 38 receiving yards also in the loss. On defense, Derrieon Craig and Te’Rai Powell each had a team-high 7 total tackles in the losing effort for UMass.
Why the Toledo Rockets will win
- Massachusetts has lost each of its last nine games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
- Toledo has won each of its last seven games at Glass Bowl.
- Massachusetts has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 12 road games in September.
- Toledo has covered the spread in each of its last three games at Glass Bowl.
Toledo Recap
The Toledo Rockets will be out to build on a 49-10 beatdown win over Duquesne last time out to start their season on a high note. After this game, the Rockets head to Starkvegas and SEC country to square off against Mississippi State.
Rockets Do It All Vs. Dukes
Tucker Gleason threw for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 of 24 passing while John Alan Richter went a perfect 6 for 6 with 77 passing yards and a touchdown in relief of Gleason. Willie Shaw III led the Rockets on the ground with 50 rushing yards and a touchdown on 7 carries while Jacquez Stuart had 34 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 carries of his own. Jerjuan Newton led the Rockets with 5 grabs for 98 receiving yards and a touchdown while Anthony Torres added 3 receptions for 39 yards and a score and Junior Vandeross III had 4 receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. Zy’Marion Lang added a TD grab as well for Toledo in the win. On defense, Braden Awls led the Rockets with 9 total tackles and also logged an interception while combining with Esean Carter for Toledo’s lone sack of the day.
Why the Massachusetts Minutemen will win
- Toledo has lost three of its last four matches as a favorite when playing with a rest advantage.
- The road team has won three of the last four games between Massachusetts and Toledo.
- The underdog has covered the spread in nine of Massachusetts' last 10 games.
- Toledo has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
UMass vs. Toledo Prediction
It’s a fairly high number after one win, but I have to lay it with Toledo here. Sure, UMass looked good in the second half against Eastern Michigan, but Toledo looks like it’s going to be more of the same this season even post-Dequan Finn as the Rockets lit up the scoreboard against Duquesne. The Dukes are one of the worst teams in FCS granted, but UMass hasn’t been overly stout on defense and I think Toledo cranks it up here to get the win and cover. Give me the Rockets.
Chris’s Pick Toledo -18.5
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
