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Call this effectively an elimination game in the MAC West race. Toledo (7-1) saw its dream season derailed – maybe temporarily – in a tough loss last to Northern Illinois last Tuesday, but there’s still time and a chance to win the division title by winning out. Central Michigan (5-4) still has just one loss in conference action, but it’s a big one to Western Michigan. Check out the Toledo vs. Western Michigan game preview and prediction.

Toledo vs. Central Michigan Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI

Network: ESPN2

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Why Toledo Will Win

There’s absolutely no Central Michigan running game to worry about. The Chippewas throw, mainly because they have to, failing to crack the 200-yard mark all season long and only busting over 100 yards three times. Do the Rockets have the secondary to hold up against the dinking and dunking CMU does? The pass defense hasn’t been a rock – allowing over 200 yards in every game except the Kent State win – but the takeaways are there with a pick in each of the last four games and eight on the season to offset the eight touchdown passes allowed. However …

Why Central Michigan Will Win

Six of those eight scoring throws came in the last two weeks. Granted, a bulk came from UMass in garbage time mode, but the secondary couldn’t come up with the key stops needed against Northern Illinois last week. To stop Toledo you have to stop the run, and Central Michigan can do that allowing just 25 yards on 25 carries last week against Akron and fewer than 250 total yards over the last three games. This is an active and aggressive CMU defensive front.

What’s Going To Happen?

Which CMU will show up? Will it be the one that stunned Northern Illinois, or the one that struggled so much against Ball State and Akron? It’s been a flaky squad, but it’s been excellent at home. The Chippewas have had a few extra days to prepare, and they should be ready to come up with a big national win.

Toledo vs. Central Michigan Prediction

Final Score: Central Michigan 30, Toledo 27, Line: Toledo -4, o/u: 52.5

Must See Rating:5: Spectre … 1: The 33 … 3