Week 5 scouting report: Toledo football vs. Miami

Entering the season, Toledo-Miami was the game of the year in the Mid-American Conference.

It’s still an outstanding matchup, but it lost some luster with Toledo’s loss at Western Kentucky and Miami’s 1-3 record. Still, when the MAC championship game kicks off in December, chances are this October meeting in the Glass Bowl will have made an impact.

UP NEXT

Who : Miami (1-3) at Toledo (3-1).

When : Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV : ESPN Plus

Follow along : Updates and analysis will be published throughout the game at toledoblade.com .

Watch : Our Rocket Rundown video series looking ahead to the game can be viewed here .

In the past, this game didn’t have nearly as much value. However, with no divisions in the MAC, it takes on added significance.

And for Toledo, there’s another added element: revenge (and homecoming).

“We’re excited for the opportunity to get back in the Glass Bowl,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said. “Tremendous opponent. Very well-coached team, a team that I think is very detailed in their approach in all three phases. And one that you have to go beat. A stiff challenge.”

When Toledo has the ball

The offense has been a rollercoaster, alternating between impressive and stagnant. If the trend holds, the Rockets are due for a good week.

They rank 85th in total offense (370.8 yards per game), 66th in passing offense (234.8 yards), 95th in rushing offense (136.0 yards) and 23rd in scoring offense (37.3 points).

Tucker Gleason is completing 60 percent of his passes for 862 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. His 11 TDs are 17th-most and his two picks are tied for 34th.

Wide receiver Jerjuan Newton and tight end Anthony Torres are tied for 21st nationally with four touchdown catches. Wide receiver Junior Vandeross has three.

Miami ranks 85th in total defense (375.3 yards), 31st in passing defense (173.8 yards), 117th in rushing defense (201.5 yards), and 57th in scoring defense (22.0 points).

Senior linebacker Matt Salopek ranks 53rd with 36 tackles. Senior defensive lineman Brian Ugwu is 41st with 5 1/2 tackles for loss.

When Miami has the ball

The RedHawks have been putrid on offense, ranking 118th in total offense (306.3 yards), 77th in passing offense (220.8 yards), 121st in rushing offense (85.5 yards), and 133rd in scoring offense (12.0 points).

Senior QB Brett Gabbert, who broke his leg against UT last season, is completing 56.8 percent of his passes for 866 yards with three TDs and six interceptions. He ranks outside the top 100 in touchdown passes and only a handful of quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions.

Toledo is No. 61 in total defense (340.0 yards), No. 102 in passing defense (245.3 yards), No. 23 in rushing defense (94.7 yards), and No. 39 in scoring defense (19.0 points).

Junior safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is 37th with 38 total tackles. Sophomore safety Braden Awls ranks 14th with a pair of interceptions. McNeil-Warren, Awls, and cornerback Avery Smith each rank in the top 70 in passes defended.

Special teams

Toledo’s return units have been outstanding, with Jacquez Stuart returning kickoffs and Bryson Hammer returning punts. Both units rank in the top 10 nationally.

The coverage units have also done a standout job, limiting opponents to 17.3 yards on kickoffs (43rd) and 3.4 yards on punts (29th).

The RedHawks had the best kicker in the country last year in Graham Nicholson, who has become a controversial figure because of Chuck Martin’s accusations of tampering after Nicholson transferred to Alabama. Without him, Dom Dzioban has missed two field goals.

Miami’s return units are among the worst in the country, but it covers kicks and punts well.

Toledo will win if…

The Rockets defense has to show up. If they bring their “B” game, it will be difficult for Miami to summon the necessary offense to win. Gleason threw two interceptions at Western Kentucky. If he throws one or fewer against Miami, Toledo will win.

Miami will win if…

It's going to take more than just an off day for Toledo’s defense. The Rockets will have to turn the football over and give Miami’s less-than-stellar offense a short field. Gabbert has been reluctant to win much this season. He will need to use his legs on Saturday.