Behind Enemy Lines: Toledo

ChippewaCountry caught up with Zach Harig of TheRocketNation.com, our sister site that covers Toledo athletics, to preview the matchup between the Rockets and the Chippewas on Saturday. Toledo is a 15-point favorite to beat the Chippewas this weekend. Here are Harig's answers to six questions we asked heading into this weekend's contest.

ChippewaCountry: What is the status of Kareem Hunt and how does the Toledo offense change if he can't play?

Zach Harig, The RocketNation: Hunt is obviously the heart and soul of the Toledo offense. The sophomore running back is seventh in the country in rushing yards and averages 8.85 yards-per-carry, which ranks fifth in the nation. However, he injured his ankle against Ball State, after rushing for 142 yards before halftime. Following the injury, Hunt sat out the second half in a 34-23 Rockets victory. Head coach Matt Campbell has said Hunt is day-to-day with his injury and a decision will be made later in the week. Campbell said it really depends on how Hunt progresses throughout the week. Expect him to play, but if for some reason he suffers a setback, the Toledo offense only changes slightly. Even if Hunt is out, Toledo is still a run-first offense. Campbell likes to run the ball in order to set up the pass. Aside from Hunt, the Rockets have a steady stable of rushers in redshirt sophomores Damion Jones-Moore and Marc Remy. Jones-Moore is a 5-foot-7, 190-pound running back who is quick and agile, while Remy is a bit more physical. Remy filled a huge role in the second half against Cincinnati after another Hunt injury. Remy has rushed for 143 yards on 25 carries in 2014. Even with Hunt healthy, Jones-Moore and Remy will see quite a bit of action.

How has Logan Woodside played since Phillip Ely was lost for the year? Is there the same level of confidence in Woodside that there was in Ely that he can lead them to a MAC West title?

In fall camp, Toledo had quite the quarterback battle between Ely and Woodside. Ely transferred from Alabama and ultimately won the job. After Ely suffered a season-ending injury against Missouri, Woodside took over. Last season, when starting quarterback Terrance Owens went down with an injury, Woodside was there to fill in. Woodside can play inconsistently, but when he's on, he's very good. He has an explosive arm and is an outstanding leader for a true sophomore quarterback. Since taking over for Ely, Woodside has completed 64 percent of his passes, with four touchdowns and one interception. Toledo is a run-first offense, which can help to open up the passing game. With targets like Alonzo Russell and Corey Jones, the Rockets have a lot of confidence in Woodside.

Both teams have good offensive and defensive lines. How do you see the battle in the trenches playing out and will those matchups affect the outcome of this game?

Toledo is one of the most fortunate teams in the country, with five seniors on the offensive line, making them one of the most experienced fronts in the nation. Center Greg Mancz is a captain and really controls the offensive line. Toledo's front five has played extremely well, really opening up gaps in the running game.

Last week, Toledo lost defensive tackle Marquise Moore to injury for the season, which is a big-time loss. However, Trent Voss is someone to watch out for. Voss made the switch from linebacker to defensive end in the offseason. He has explosive acceleration and quickness off the edge. Sophomore Treyvon Hester is extremely disruptive at defensive tackle and makes a lot of big plays for the Rockets as well. Aside from Voss and Hester, Toledo rotates a lot of subs on the defensive line. Keep an eye on defensive ends Allen Covington and Chris Collins.

As for the outcome of the game, the battle in the trenches is huge. One of the biggest reasons Toledo's secondary has been so bad this season is due to a lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In the run game, Toledo doesn't have a lot of problems. Toledo's run defense is stellar, but a back like Thomas Rawls could change that. Toledo's offensive line has a lot of confidence and chemistry from being together for so long, so it'll be big for Central Michigan to get some pressure on Woodside.

The Rockets defense struggled to defend the pass in their first three games and are among the worst in the country in pass efficiency defense. Ball State didn't throw the ball very much, but ran the ball very effectively. How can CMU take advantage of a defense that has struggled thus far?

It's no secret that Toledo's secondary is among the worst in the country. However, let's not throw the whole defense under the bus. The Rockets front seven is extremely solid, with guys like MAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Junior Sylvestre, Chase Murdock and Hester. However, defensive coordinator Jon Heacock isn't happy about the secondary. Two of Toledo's top three cornerbacks are out due to injury: Cam Cole and Cheatham Norrils. With that said, the secondary is very young, with true freshman Trevon Mathis starting at cornerback.

Also, look at the quarterbacks Toledo has played in 2014. Missouri's Maty Mauk and Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel are among the best in the country. Toledo was fortunate to face an opponent like Ball State to start MAC play. They like to run the ball and Toledo's defense can usually stop the run effectively, especially from a one-dimensional offense (like the Cardinals).

CMU can take advantage of Toledo's secondary is by running an up-tempo offense and throwing the ball as much as they can, within the framework of their offense. Obviously, Rawls has to be involved at running back, but you need to throw often. I'm not talking about a lot of downfield passes, but rather quick screens to guys like Titus Davis (if he's healthy). Toledo does well against singleback formations where opponents try to run the ball up the middle. Hester makes a living on stopping the run up the gut. A lot of shotgun sets, a fast-paced offense, a lot of short and quick passes, and CMU will give itself a shot to win the game.

What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of this Toledo team?

Strengths: Toledo dominates up-front. Five seniors on the offensive line is a rarity. Mancz and Josh Hendershot really control the line of scrimmage. Obviously, this has a huge effect on the rest of the offense, with Hunt averaging 8.85 ypc and Remy averaging nearly 6.0 ypc. This offensive line works hard and it shows. Another strength is the run defense. Ball State had some success running the ball, but that can happen with a back like Jahwan Edwards. Toledo has a strong front seven, with Sylvestre, Murdock, Hester, and Voss. However, Rawls could present some problems.

Weaknesses: Obviously, you're going to look at the secondary. Senior Jordan Haden is finally healthy at safety and he's the only true leader in the secondary. After Cole and Norrils went down, everyone knew the defense would have some problems and they have. In the secondary, Toledo rotates a lot of freshmen and sophomores. Heacock likes to run a 3-3-5 hybrid defense, although they rotate their defensive formations a lot. When Toledo puts five defensive backs on the field, they typically have more success, but we need to see it against more opponents before we know what that means for this secondary.

Despite being a solid favorite in this contest, are Toledo fans nervous about CMU coming into the Glass Bowl, especially with Rawls and (likely) Davis rejoining the Chippewas this week? Can you give us a prediction for the game?

Honestly, after you get beat up by a SEC opponent at home and have to take on Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium, the MAC seems a little less stressful. Not to say it won't be competitive, but it's different. Obviously, CMU poses a threat for the Rockets and they look like a team on the rise in the MAC West, but after you beat a team four years in a row, you seem to look past them. I'm not saying that's what Toledo fans or players are doing, but it isn't a big-time matchup in fans' eyes. Rawls does change that substantially. Many are aware of Rawls because he was at Michigan. Rawls is one of the best backs in the MAC and he could change this matchup. So could Davis, especially with Toledo's secondary issues.

As for a prediction, that's tough. Toledo's secondary has problems, but CMU has struggled to put up points. Woodside is now getting dialed in at quarterback and Hunt will likely play. Guys like Justin Cherocci and Kavon Frazier on the Chippewa defense can cause issues for opposing offenses. Also, Cooper Rush can throw the ball, especially if Davis is healthy. However, I think Toledo has too much on offense, especially if Hunt plays. I'll say Toledo wins, 41-24.

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