FACTS & STATS: Site: Glass Bowl (26,248) -- Toledo, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: EMU 2-2, Toledo 4-2. Away Record: EMU 1-4, Toledo 0-3. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, Toledo 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 2-2, Toledo 2-3. Series Record: Toledo leads, 23-10.

GAME NOTES: The Toledo Rockets will try to remain in the win column when they host the Eastern Michigan Eagles this Saturday evening in a Mid-American Conference tilt at the Glass Bowl. The Eagles snapped a four-game losing skid this past weekend with a solid, 19-2 win over Western Michigan. EMU has been atrocious away from home this season, posting a 1-4 ledger. The Eagles will close out their regular season with a home game against Bowling Green, followed by a road matchup with Central Michigan. As for the Rockets, they have won back-to-back contests, including a convincing, 70-21 win over Northern Illinois this past Saturday. Dating back to the beginning of the 2002 season, the Rockets have been amazing at home, posting an outstanding, 24-4 ledger at the Glass Bowl. The Rockets have a commanding, 23-10 lead in the all-time series against EMU, however the Eagles snapped a six-game losing skid this past season with a 17-13 win over Toledo.

The Eagles used a tremendous rushing attack this past weekend to get past Western Michigan. EMU rushed for a whopping 255 yards and finished the game with an impressive 392 total yards of production. Pierre Walker led the way with 151 yards on 33 carries, while Dontayo Cage added 66 yards and one score on two attempts. Pierre is currently leading this unit with 442 rushing yards on the year, but as a team the Eagles have struggled on the ground, averaging just 130.9 ypg on 3.8 ypc. The team has not had much success through the air either, as EMU is posting just 179.0 ypg via the pass. Andy Schmitt has done a commendable job on the year, as the signal-caller is completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 1,156 yards. In eight games, Schmitt has thrown 10 touchdowns against five interceptions. In the recent win over Western Michigan, Schmitt was 7-of-11 for 63 yards before suffering a head injury. Kyle McMahon found himself under center and threw for 74 yards and one score against one INT. It is not certain if Schmitt will be able to go this Saturday, so McMahon could be under center again.

In the same contest the Eagles put forth their best defensive performance of the season, holding the Broncos to a meager 199 total yards of offense. It was an outstanding effort from a unit that has been abused for 398.6 total ypg. The most impressive part of the victory was the team's ability to shut down the run. EMU has been gashed for 177.9 ypg via the run on the season, but against the Broncos the Eagles surrendered just 53 yards on 23 carries (2.3). The Eagles forced six turnovers in the contest and have now collected an impressive 18 miscues on the season. The defense has struggled on third downs, allowing the opposition to convert 47 percent of their opportunities. Daniel Holtzclaw has been outstanding on the season, and is currently leading the team with 100 tackles.

This past weekend, Jalen Parmele rumbled for 106 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries, but it was DaJuane Collins who led the squad with 132 yards and one touchdown on 15 totes. As a team, the Rockets racked up an eye-popping 812 total yards, rushing for 382 yards, while throwing for another 430 yards. The ground game has been the main source of offense for this unit, as the team is collecting 210.9 ypg with the run. Parmele has been the main threat out of the backfield, as the tailback has rushed for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.4 ypc. The passing attack has not been as successful, as Aaron Opelt and D. J. Lenehan have been inconsistent. In the win over Northern Illinois, Opelt was under center for Toledo and completed an amazing 22-of-28 throws for 387 yards and four touchdowns. On the year, Opelt has had some issues, completing just 56.3 percent of his throws for just 1,277 yards and nine scores against six interceptions.

In the victory over NIU, the Rockets held the Huskies to just 352 total yards. Despite the win, the Rockets were gashed on the ground for a whopping 177 yards, but that should not be surprising considering the team is being abused for 221.4 ypg via the run. Overall this unit has had a tough time this year, as opponents are producing 447.0 total ypg which has led to 40.4 ppg. The defense has been able to force 23 turnovers on the season, but the squad has had trouble pressuring the quarterback, recording just seven sacks in nine games. The defense has also struggled inside its 20-yard line, allowing the opposition to convert on a whopping 91 percent of their red zone chances.

Although the Eagles put forth a tremendous defensive effort this past weekend, look for EMU to struggle against a very powerful Toledo offense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Toledo 41, Eastern Michigan 17

Saturday, November 3rd, 7:00 p.m. (et)