Boise State @ Toledo preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Toledo 14, Boise State 57

THE STORY: Boise State wouldn’t figure to have a lot of trouble with Toledo but Ohio State certainly didn’t expect to either. The No. 4 Broncos insist they won’t be taking the Rockets lightly after Toledo nearly upset the Buckeyes last Saturday before falling 27-22. Boise State is the highest-ranked team to ever visit Toledo’s Glass Bowl. The Broncos haven’t played in 13 days since defeating Georgia in their nationally-televised opening contest. Boise State routed Toledo 57-14 last season in the only previous meeting between the two schools.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Boise State -19.5.

ABOUT TOLEDO (1-1): The Rockets enter the contest with a lot of confidence after slugging it out with powerful Ohio State. Receiver Eric Page caught 12 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State and has 17 receptions in two games. Toledo also was impressive defensively, holding the Buckeyes to 301 yards. The Rockets use a two-quarterback system with Austin Dantin (316 yards, four touchdowns) and Terrance Owens (259 yards, three touchdowns) both faring well. Standout linebacker Dan Molls (leg) will likely miss his second straight game and fellow linebacker Robert Bell (ribs) is also ailing. The previous highest-ranked team to visit Toledo was No. 9 Pittsburgh in 2003. The Rockets upset the Panthers 35-31.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (1-0): The Broncos forced six three-and-outs in their victory over Georgia. Quarterback Kellen Moore threw three touchdown passes and has thrown multiple touchdowns in 34 of 41 career games. Moore is 39-2 as a starter and is six wins away from matching the career victories record held by former Texas star Colt McCoy. Defensive end Shea McClellin scored on a 36-yard interception against Toledo last season. Starting safety Cedric Febis was expected to miss his second straight game as one of three Dutch players in Boise State’s program having their eligibility investigated by the NCAA. But Febris was reinstated by the NCAA on Thursday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos were officially placed on NCAA probation on Tuesday. The penalties included the loss of nine scholarships over a three-year span.

2. Toledo’s Page had 11 receptions for 120 yards in last year’s contest against Boise State.

3. Boise State is 17-2 when playing on Fridays.

PREDICTION: Boise State 45, Toledo 17 – The Broncos are well-rested and typically well-prepared and it’s bad timing for the Rockets to face the Broncos six days after meeting Ohio State.