Boise State vs Toledo: 3 Keys to a Toledo Upset

RB Adonis Thomas will be critical to Toledo's offensive success
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Boise State comes into tonight’s game at Toledo riding high after a statement win over Georgia in Week 1.

The Broncos had a bye week to celebrate their big win but now it’s time to get back to business, as they head to Ohio for a matchup with a suddenly-dangerous Toledo team.

In last year’s meeting between these two, Boise State romped the Rockets in a 57-14 blowout, however, this one is going to be a little closer.

Even so, the odds are certainly not in Toledo’s favor for tonight’s game.

Boise State has owned these kinds of spots in recent years, and the Broncos always seem to enjoy using Friday nights to showcase their dominance for the entire college football world to see.

Plus, the Broncos are simply loaded with talent on both sides of the ball this year.

The Rockets have a few nice players like Adonis Thomas and Eric Page, but man-for-man, they certainly can’t compete with what Boise State is putting out there.

Still, this is the supposed "Weekend of Road Upsets" and with that kind of billing, you would expect a few eye-opening outcomes over the next couple of days.

Will it start tonight with a big upset of the fourth-ranked team in the country?

It seems doubtful, but if Toledo is actually serious about gunning for an upset, here are three things the Rockets must do.

Win the War in the Trenches

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Boise State’s defensive line is one of the fiercest in college football, and the Toledo offensive line will have their hands full trying to slow down guys like Billy Winn, Chase Baker and Shea McLellin.

If the Rockets want to put together successful offensive drives, the offensive line will need to give quarterback Austin Dantin some security in the pocket.

They’ll also need to pave some holes for running back Adonis Thomas, something that won't come easily.

Shut Down Doug Martin

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Georgia did a quality job of containing Boise State running back Doug Martin in the season-opener, but the Bulldogs simply gave up too much ground to the Boise State passing offense.

The Rockets should study that Georgia game because one of the defense's key priorities tonight will be to limit Martin’s effectiveness.

Martin is a powerful and durable back and when he starts rolling downhill, it can make a defense buckle.

The Toledo defenders have to man up and get ready to go toe-to-toe with Martin and show him he’s in for a physical battle.

Unleash Eric Page

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Eric Page is probably the most dynamic playmaker in the MAC.

Page has put up consecutive 1,100-plus yard receiving campaigns in his first two seasons, and he looks like he’s about to put together another one in 2011.

Page has the type of field-stretching speed that will put a lot of pressure on the Boise State secondary to stay disciplined and fundamentally sound.

If Toledo has any chance of winning this game, the Rockets will need to make big plays and there’s nobody better than their most dangerous offensive weapon.