Here's a nice write-up I found for this game. I don't have any faith at all that Massachusetts' defense can stop Toledo. I'm part of the "public" who's betting on Toledo to hammer UMASS. We'll soon see if the public gets rewarded or butchered. @)
Toledo’s Quest For An Unbeaten Season Continues
The Toledo Rockets were one of the favorites to win the MAC Conference this year, but now they are one of the favorites to crash the New Year’s Day Six. Could they? Toledo is 6-0 on the year and they still have a tough home game vs Northern Illinois and a tough road game vs Bowling Green down the stretch, but they way they are playing they have a great chance at cashing the New Year’s Day party.
Normally Toledo is thought of as an offensive machine, but this year it has been an excellent defense that has led the team as they come in ranked 44th in the nation in yards allowed and 7th in points allowed, giving up just 13.2 ppg. Now that’s playing some defense. Don’t get me wrong, they do have a solid offense that has averaged 34.7 ppg and 446.2 ypg, but still this team is led by their defense this year.
Minutemen In The Midst Of Another Long Year
The Massachusetts Minutemen have won a total of five games the last three years prior to this one and it is not looking good for a turnaround this season. So far UMass is 1-5 on the year and they have not been playing well on either side of the ball this year. Yes they are 15th in the nation in passing, but they just can’t put the ball in the endzone as they rank 104th in points scored, putting up just 22.7 ppg on the year.
On the other side of the ball it is much worse for the Minutemen as they rank 116th in yards allowed, 103rd vs the pass, 118th vs the run and 115th in points allowed (37.7 ppg). UMass is just a horrible defensive team and will have all sorts of trouble trying to stop Toledo in this one. UMass does have a couple of winnable games down the stretch, including Eastern Michigan and Miami-Oh, but still this is gonna be another long year for UMass.
Trends
Toledo is:
8-1-2 ATS their last 11 games overall
8-0-1 ATS their last nine games following a SU win
Massachusetts is:
3-9 ATS their last 12 games vs a winning team
2-6 ATS their last eight games overall
Pick: Toledo -14.5
Toledo looks like the play here. Yes UMass can throw the ball all over the field, but this is a very good defense they are facing, plus UMass has no clue where the endzone is. They just can’t score, but they do give up plenty and have been outscored by 15 ppg on the year, while Toledo has outscored their opponents by 21.5 ppg. This is a dominant team that will not be stopped by a bad UMass squad.
You were very keen on the situation. Was out all day but did get to catch some scores. Had to double look it because Mass scored a bunch of point. But upon further review Toledo's backers were very luck to get the moolah. Hope you did great on your picks. Good luck on the Pros if you play.
