2021 Bahamas Bowl Preview: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo

The bowl season starts this Friday with the Bahamas Bowl. There are over 40 bowl games over the next two and a half weeks. This game initiates one of the most fun and festive parts of the sports year, giving college teams a reward for their regular season. These bowl games are also business trips for teams who feel they left something on the table.

Middle Tennessee, at 6-6 on the season, and a Toledo team which failed to win the Mid-American Conference’s West Division both have a lot to prove. Going to the Bahamas is not just sun and fun. It’s a big deal and an urgent moment for both sides.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Toledo Rockets
Date: Friday, December 17th, 12:00 PM ET

Location: Thomas Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas

CFB Odds: Toledo -10

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders challenged themselves in September and the early part of their schedule. They lost to Virginia Tech of the ACC and a UTSA team which went 12-1 this season and won the Conference USA championship. They also lost to a Liberty team which endured only one loss a year ago and has established itself as one of the better Group of Five teams in the country. After those losses against dangerous opponents, Middle Tennessee was able to handle the less powerful foes on its slate, enough – at any rate – to make a bowl game.

This was a feast or famine team in 2021. The Blue Raiders played only three games decided by 10 points or fewer. They either blew out their opponents or got blown out, for the most part. They couldn’t handle good teams, but they took care of business against bad teams. That’s a good formula for a 6-6 middle-of-the-pack record. Since Toledo did not separate itself from the pack in the Mid-American Conference, it’s hard to get a clear read on how Middle Tennessee will match up against the Rockets in this contest.

Toledo Rockets

The Toledo Rockets were a trendy preseason choice to win the MAC West Division. The Rockets were supposed to compete with Ball State for a spot in the MAC Championship Game. When Toledo very narrowly lost at Notre Dame in Week 2 of the season – nearly upsetting a Fighting Irish team which made a strong run at the College Football Playoff this season – it seemed Toledo was headed for success this year. However, the course of the season veered way off its intended track. In the team’s first game after the near-upset of Notre Dame, Toledo was stunned 22-6 by a bad Colorado State squad which just did fire head coach Steve Addazio. Toledo bounced back by beating Ball State, and it seemed it would still win the division, but a weak offensive performance led to a crushing home-field loss to rival Northern Illinois. Toledo then lost another heartbreaker to Central Michigan, and the team’s implosion was unable to be stopped. Toledo finished the season 7-5, but this was supposed to be a nine- or 10-win team.

Outlook

Both teams underachieved this year, but Toledo underachieved more. In a bowl game, expect Toledo to be even more motivated than Middle Tennessee. That will make the difference.

Blue Raiders vs. Rockets Prediction:

Rockets 30, Blue Raiders 17