2026 MAC Football Week 11 Game Preview: Toledo Rockets vs. UMass Minutemen

The Toledo Rockets (7-2, 4-1 MAC) are looking to get back to their usual performance on Wednesday night, going back home to face the UMass Minutemen (5-4, 2-4 MAC) after a long trip to California last week.

Thanks to Tuesday's results, Toledo now has a chance to make their case known for inclusion in the MAC title game in Detroit three weeks from now as long as they win out and have a few other games go favorably.

In their way will be a UMass squad fresh off a roller-coaster home win over Ball State in overtime last week, securing the program's best season by wins as an FBS member. A lot is still to play for though, as the Minutemen need to go 2-1 over the next three games to secure a postseason bid for the first time in program history.

There's a lot on the line when toe hits leather on Wednesday night; what should we expect to see?

Game notes

• Date and Time: Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time
• Location: The Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio
• TV options: The game will be on CBS Sports Network. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing.
• Streaming options: The game will be available for streaming on applicable cable/satellite services. A valid subscription is required for viewing on any platform.
• Toledo radio: Mark Baier (play-by-play) and Jack Mewhort (color) will provide the Toledo call for the Rockets Radio Network.
• UMass radio: Jay Burnham (play-by-play) and Matt Goldstein (color) will provide the UMass call for 101.5 WHMP-FM.
• Gambling Considerations: Toledo is a 14.5-point favorite; over/under is 51.5-52.5 by book, per Covers.
• All-time series: Toledo leads the all-time series 8-1, and are winners of the last eight matchups (1983, 1999, 2014-15, 2021-24).

Toledo outlook

Toledo’s struggles against Sacramento State were arguably the biggest story of last week. The Rockets needed a controversial call to escape the Golden State with a win over the Hornets. The Rockets’ struggles passing the ball were front and center.

John Allen Richter threw for 60 passing yards and an interception last week and now faces one of the MAC’s better secondaries in the Minutemen. The performance was uncharacteristic from a passer averaging 281 yards per game entering the Sacramento State contest.

Luckily, Toledo’s run offense picked up the slack for the passing game. CJ Miller and Autavius Ison each ran for over yards in the win. Miller (744 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per carry) and Ison (424 yards and 5.2 yards per carry) headline a three-headed backfield that also includes Connor (424 yards and 5.8 yards per carry.

At receiver, the Rockets have Adjatay Dabbs (40 receptions for 592 yards) and Bryson Hammer (30 receptions for 491 yards) leading the way. Sam Lee is a consistent target at tight end with 19 receptions for 222 yards.

Toledo’s defense is arguably its biggest strength. The Rockets’ run defense helped carry them to victory. Toledo allowed 53 non-sack rushing yards and sacked Jackson Sharman five times.

Andrew Zock is a MAC Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner with 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Zach Johnson, Lucas Lambert-Pipkin, and Ezra Odinjor also add to a loaded front seven.

Julian Fox (72 tackles) and Isaac Zay (71 tackles) combine to form one of the MAC’s most steady linebacker tandems. Zay is also disruptive in the pass game with 5 pass breakups and two interceptions.

Israel Petite and Armorion Smith continue the proud tradition of great Toledo defensive backs. Petite has seven pass breakups on the year, while Smith has six.

UMass outlook

Pop Watson III officially returned to his early season form in the Minutemen’s thrilling overtime win over Ball State. Watson threw for a season-high 302 yards on just 25 attempts, while adding 40 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

UMass’ offense finally looked like the juggernaut it was during its 4-0 start. T.Y. Harding also returned from injury, playing for the first time since the Miami game on October 10th. Harding caught six passes for 70 yards, including one for 46 yards. He leads the Minutemen in receiving with 34 receptions for 397 yards.

Harding’s 46-yard reception was one of three of over 40 yards that the Minutemen had against the Cardinals. Kezion Dia-Johnson added a 47-yard reception, while Jabari Lewis caught a 64-yard touchdown.

Dia-Johnson (16 receptions for 237 yards) and Lewis (22 receptions for 362 yards) both stepped up admirably during Harding’s absence. Reece Adkins (19 receptions for 176 yards) and Max Dowling (16 for 129) have been reliable short-passing game targets at tight end.

These strides in the passing game allowed the Minutemen run game to have its best game in weeks. Curtis Kimmons IV led UMass with 19 carries for 85 yards. Kimmons IV has 393 rushing yards on the year, while his running mate Elijah Faulkner has 400 yards on the season.

UMass’ defense struggled with Ball State’s run game last week. The Cardinals ran for 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Minutemen. Linebacker Timmy Hinspeter leads the Minutemen in tackles with 81, while his counterpart Tyler Martin has 50.

Up front, Aubrey Melvin is disruptive in the middle with 2.5 sacks, while Joshua Iseah has three. The Minutemen have one of the best secondaries in the MAC. TJ Magee and Isaiah Reed each have seven pass breakups, while Zeraun Daniel has six. Daniel is also an excellent downhill playmaker with 50 tackles. Jahmad Harmon leads the Minutemen with three interceptions.

Game outlook

Before last week, this game appeared to skew in favor of a multiple-score win for Toledo. The Rockets were MAC frontrunners, while the Minutemen were in freefall, losers of four straight. However, Toledo’s struggles with Sacramento State and UMass’ resurgent win over Ball State make this week’s game more fascinating. Nonetheless, the Minutemen’s difficulties against the run and Toledo’s experience favors the Rockets.

Toledo 24, UMass 21