Toledo Football: Can Rockets make MAC West a 3-team race?
By Dante Pryor
Defense will be the difference, good or bad
The defense was the Achilles’ heel for the Rockets last season. They were ninth in the MAC in total defense which included being dead-last in passing defense. The Rockets were also eighth in scoring defense, allowing 30.5 points per game.
There were some bright spots, however.
They weren’t awful against the run, finishing sixth in the conference. They were also fourth in the MAC in interceptions and third in sacks.
One of the major issues with the Rockets on defense was their inability to stop teams from scoring. They gave up 30 points or more in five of their six losses. They also surrendered over 30 points in three of their wins.
Most of the damage against the Rockets came in the air. Toledo gave up 7.1 yards per pass and 20 passing touchdowns. Although the Rockets were third in sacks, their leading sack producer, Tuzar Skipper, graduated. But that wasn’t the issue, and the defensive line is deep.
If they want to win more than seven games next year they have to be better on defense.