College Football: Group of Five Week 7 power rankings

Toledo moved to 4-1 in the standings with a tight 20-15 victory over Eastern Michigan. The win gave the Rockets their first conference win of the season, as Jason Candle’s team joined Western Michigan and Northern Illinois atop the MAC West standings. It didn’t come easy, but Toledo now sits as the MAC’s best hope of earning the league a second straight New Year’s Six berth after Western Michigan’s trip to the Cotton Bowl last year.

After falling behind 6-3 in the first quarter, Toledo snapped out of its stupor and began slowly taking down the Eagles at the Glass Bowl. By halftime, the Rockets held a 10-6 lead and then extended it to 17-6 midway through the third quarter. Eastern Michigan pulled within two points of the Rockets with under 10 minutes remaining, but could get no closer.

Veteran quarterback Logan Woodside had a solid performance against Eastern Michigan’s defense. Woodside threw for 289 yards on 23-of-34 passing. He did not throw an interception, but he also failed to reach the endzone. Though it ultimately didn’t matter, Toledo left at least six points on the table as the team missed two field goals in the win.

That profligate failure to put more points on the board could prove costly if it becomes a general trend for the Rockets. They should manage to get through an October schedule that includes trips to Central Michigan and Ball State on either side of a visit by Akron. Things really heat up in November, with Northern Illinois visiting the Glass Bowl on the first Thursday of the month and Western Michigan coming to town on Thanksgiving weekend.