Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down tonight’s 8 p.m. football game against Toledo at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Quarterbacks
The last time CMU played a conference game, two of the top quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference faced each other — CMU senior Dan LeFevour and BGSU senior Tyler Sheehan. This week, LeFevour has more competition. Aaron Opelt, in his second game back from an injury to his throwing shoulder, runs an explosive offense that has the most total yards in the conference. Despite missing two games and part of the Western Michigan game Oct. 10, Opelt is second in the MAC with 266.1 passing yards per game.

Advantage: CMU. Once again, LeFevour distinguishes himself because of his legs. His decision making has been superb this year, as indicated by his 16-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But LeFevour’s 548 rushing yards ranks him as the only quarterback in the conference to make the top ten in the category. LeFevour’s nine rushing touchdowns rank third in the conference.

Running backs
CMU’s Carl Volny has stepped up his level of play in recent weeks and gained at least a share of the carries for the rest of the season. But Toledo’s DaJuane Collins is the MAC’s fourth-leading rusher (733 yards) and has 8 rushing touchdowns.

Advantage: UT. The Rockets have the edge, but CMU closes the gap this week. The Chippewas will likely use Schroeder and Phillips to go along with Volny, each of which bring a different element to the running game.

CMU offensive line vs. UT defensive front seven
The Chippewas welcomed back junior center Colin Miller against Boston College on Halloween, but redshirt freshman Darren Keyton still saw a significant amount of snaps. Miller will see most, if not all, the snaps against Toledo, which bolsters the interior offensive line. Toledo, led by senior defensive tackle Derrick Summers and his four sacks, has 17 sacks through nine games. And hybrid safety/linebacker Barry Church is a force in pass defense and run support. Church has 2.5 sacks to go along with 82 total tackles and an interception.

Advantage: UT. CMU’s offensive line has played extremely well for most of the season, giving up just 10 sacks on the year. But Toledo brings a few different wrinkles to its defense that could give the line fits. Summers and defensive end Alex Johnson have seven combined sacks, and Church is one of the best defenders in the MAC.

UT offensive line vs. CMU front seven
CMU will be without senior defensive end Sam Williams again, but it shouldn’t slow down a front seven led by junior linebackers Nick Bellore and Matt Berning. The two are arguably the best one-two punch at linebacker in the MAC, and they compliment a veteran defensive line to stifle the running game. Toledo quarterbacks have only been sacked 13 times so far, however.

Advantage: CMU. Sophomore defensive end Kashawn Fraser will see his role increased with Williams’ continued absence. And as good as the Rockets’ offense has been, CMU’s front seven has done its part to limit damage.

CMU wide receivers vs. UT secondary
Toledo free safety Jermaine Robinson adds versatility to the secondary with his ablility to blitz and get to the quarterback (three sacks) but, overall, inexperience will hurt Toledo. Three of Toledo’s four starters in the secondary are freshman, while CMU combats the group with a veteran wide receiver group. Junior Antonio Brown will play after missing an extended period of time against Boston College, and Bryan Anderson always plays well after less-than-stellar performances. He had a few key drops against the Eagles.

Advantage: CMU. Add junior Kito Poblah to the mix, and CMU has an arsenal that Toledo is likely ill-equipped to cover.

UT wide receivers vs. CMU secondary
The biggest thing to watch will be if CMU senior cornerback Josh Gordy plays. He missed more than a half against Boston College with an unspecified lower-body injury, and his return is questionable. Freshman Eric Page leads all Toledo receivers with 909 yards, but senior Stephen Williams is not far behind (884). Senior cornerback Kirkston Edwards will be leaned upon heavily regardless of Gordy’s status, but someone will be called upon to step up if Gordy is out.

Advantage: Even. This one is pending on Gordy’s status. If he plays, Gordy and Edwards match up well enough with Page and Williams to name no distinct advantage. If he is out, Toledo has a clear advantage in this category.

Prediction
Toledo’s offense will give CMU problems, and no defensive coach will like to see the numbers at the end of the day in this game. But that is to be expected. Offenses will rule today, but a handful of defensive plays will make the difference. CMU makes those plays at home in a nationally televised game.

CMU 34, UT 24

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover