5 Players that Can Help Lead the Toledo Rockets to the Upset in the Swamp

5 Players That Can Help The Toledo Rockets Beat The Florida Gators

Can you feel it? It is in the air, the smell of college football has been popping up in all areas of the country. Fans that fell victim to the college football withdrawal are making remarkable recoveries. The symptoms usually disappear after the opening kickoff on Thursday night.

For the MAC Conference, opening weekend is another opportunity to prove to that they belong with the big boys. The conference is not holding back the first week of the season. The MAC will face off against the SEC Conference, the Big 10 Conference, and the American Athletic Conference.

Of all the games being played this weekend in the MAC, the Toledo Rockets face the toughest challenge. They must face the Florida Gators down in the "Swamp". The Gators have won 23 straight home opening games. However, the Rockets are an explosive team that can pull off the upset.

The Rockets return nine starters to an offense that averaged 31.5 points per game in 2012. They have a solid head coach in Matt Campbell and the ability to move the football on the Gators' defense. The Rockets defeated Cincinnati at home and played Arizona tough on the road, losing only by a touchdown in overtime. If the Rockets are to get the upset in Gainesville, they must be able to force turnovers and win the time of possession. Last season, the Rockets were very opportunistic with a plus-7 in turnover margin. In 2012, they feasted off of being able to turn those turnovers into points.

The Rockets must rely on these play makers to pull off the upset and snap the Gators' streak.

Joseph Lisi is MAC writer for www.Rantsports.com, follow him on Twitter @GoForthe2, "Like" him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google

http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-football/2013/08/24/florida-football-opening-week-preview-vs-toledo/

5. Alonzo Russell

Alonzo Russell was second on the team in receptions with 56. Russell averaged 17.1 yards per catch in 2012 as a freshman and amassed 960 receiving yards. The Rockets like to get the ball to Russell in space because of his 6-foot-4 size and speed. Russell will force the Gators' secondary to play off of the line of scrimmage and play more zone coverage.

4. Bernard Reedy

Bernard Reedy caught 88 passes for 1,113 yards and six TD's. Reedy has great hands and will force double coverage form the Gators. The Rockets will utilize Reedy's speed by giving him the ball on reverses and fly sweeps. The Gators will be forced to double-team Reedy, and this could open up the other wide receivers for the Rockets. The Rockets are very deep at the wide receiver position. The team returns five players that caught over 18 passes in 2012.

3. Cheatham Norrils

Norrils is the returning tackler for the Rockets. He only had one INT in 2012, however, he was very aggressive and physical in run support. Norrils can play man-to-man coverage, and this will allow the Rockets to blitz and take chances on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Terrance Owens

Terrance Owens is an underrated quarterback. Owens completed 61.4 percent of his passes and threw for 2707 yards. He has the ability to get outside the pocket and run the football. Owens rushed for 395 yards last year and had five touchdowns on the ground. The Gators cannot be overly aggressive defensively due to Owens’ ability. The Gators defensive ends will have to be disciplined and force Owens to stay in the pocket.

1. David Fluellen

Fluellen is the best back you have never heard of. He rushed for 1,498 yards in 2012. He led the nation in rushing late in the season, but an injury forced him to miss significant time in the Rockets' last two ball games. Fluellen is a very versatile back who can run and catch the football out of the backfield. Last season, Fluellen caught 32 passes for 246 yards. If Fluellen can help the Rockets move the chains, that will take pressure off of quarterback Terrance Owens and open up the play-action passing game. This could force the Gators' linebackers to play close to the line of scrimmage and allow Reedy and Russell to make plays “over the top” of the Gators' secondary.