The University of Toledo Rockets come to town this Saturday looking for respect in a battle of in-state schools meeting on the gridiron for the very first time.

On paper, this game looks to be a serious mismatch. The odds-makers have O.S.U. at a 35 point favorite. Toledo is no "cupcake" on the schedule for anybody. This program is annually one of the best in the MAC and in lower Division 1A. They have beaten Purdue twice in the 90's, including 36-22 a year ago at Toledo in a rare visit to a Mid American Conference Stadium by a Big Ten school.

This is the biggest game in not only the history of UT, but the biggest contest in the city of Toledo history, even though the game is on the road. There will be more fans viewing this game on television and in attendance (at Ohio Stadium) combined than any other sporting event by far in the city's history.

The Rockets will be sky high for this one. Ohio State better be ready if they want to retain their #1 ranking. Disaster could be looming, if the Bucks don't take UT seriously. Toledo is loaded with possibly their best team in school history. At least offensively it is. This is the most explosive unit in recent memory led by dangerous QB Chris Wallace, who is elusive and is accurate in his passing. He has a "cannon" for an arm and is itching to use it in this game. The defense will prove to be strong in this game, as well.

Key Players on Offense for Toledo:

• QB Chris Wallace: Broke 10 Rocket records and threw for more than 200 yards in 10 out of 12 games last season along with 27 TD passes and 2,955 yards.
  
• TB Wasean Tait: Ran for 1,905 yards and was an All-American in 1995 for UT before being sidelined with a severe knee injury for almost two whole years.
  
• TB Dwayne Harris: Rushed for on over 1,000 yards in 1997.
  
• WR Brock Kreitzburg: 44 receptions, 626 yards and 7 TDs.
  
• PK Todd France: This newcomer has a powerful leg with 50 plus yard range.

Key Players on Defense for the Rockets:

• LB Matt Vaillant: 122 tackles last season.
  
• LB Jason Lamar: 74 tackles in 1997.
  
• DE Gregg King: One of the top DEs in the MAC.

Keep in Mind:

1. Ohio State fumbled four times (losing one) and gave up three sacks against West Virginia, so the partially sloppy play will need to be corrected.

2. The UT offense rolled to a school record 5,026 yards. The team was ranked 18th in the nation at one time last year. They were ranked #32 by The Sporting News magazine coming into this season.

3. Here's thinking O.S.U. should be psyched for this game, as several players know each other on both sides from Ohio High School competition. At least three key players for the Bucks have ties to the Toledo team: Dee Miller's QB in High School in Springfield Ohio was Rocket QB Chris Wallace. Matt Lavrar played on the same team with UT OL Jim Harding at Maumee High School just outside of Toledo in Northwest Ohio. And, Damon Moore is from Fostoria, also in Northwest Ohio. His brother is former Rocket player Clayton Moore. Another thing we want to add is that UT star TB DeWayne Harris is from Columbus. Several Ohio State players know him and will want to shut him down on Saturday.

For a victory, UT will have to play an almost perfect game. But let's not forget last Saturday's game between Miami of Ohio and North Carolina: Miami beat #12 North Carolina in a huge upset. Anything can happen.

Prediction: OSU 41 - 17.