Coaches Pick Rockets to Win MAC West Division
8/28/2017 9:00:00 AM | Football
Toledo, Ohio – The University of Toledo football team was picked to finish in first place in the Mid-American Conference's West Division, in a ballot of the league's head coaches that was released today by the conference office.
The Rockets received seven first-place votes and a total of 66 points in the annual poll, eight points ahead of second-place Western Michigan. Ohio was picked to repeat as MAC East Division champion, followed by Miami.
Last month, the Rockets were also picked by the league's media to win the West Division crown, as well as the 2017 MAC Championship Game.
Toledo was 9-4 in head coach Jason Candle's debut as head coach in 2016, earning a berth into the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.  UT returns one of the nation's most explosive offenses. Led by senior quarterback Logan Woodside, Toledo averaged 38.0 points per game and led the Mid-American Conference in total offense with a school-record 517.8 yards per game in 2016. Woodside paced the nation with 45 touchdown passes and was named a Heisman contender by the Heisman Trophy Trust. Two of his favorite targets are back—Cody Thompson (64 receptions, 11 TDs, 19.8 ypc) and Jon'Vea Johnson (40/10/19.3)—as is 2015 second-team All-MAC running back Terry Swanson. On defense, the Rockets return seven starters, including All-MAC linebacker Ja'Wuan Woodley.
The Rockets open their season at home vs. Elon on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, go online or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).
2017 MAC Football Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)Â
 MAC West Division
1.  Toledo (7)                           66
2.  Western Michigan (2)           58
3.  Northern Illinois (1)        45
4.  Eastern Michigan                 35
5.  Central Michigan (1)       31
6.  Ball State (1)             17
 MAC East DivisionÂ
1.  Ohio (9)                              69
2.  Miami (3)                            61
3.  Bowling Green                    45
4.  Akron                                 41
5.  Buffalo                 20
6.  Kent State                          16
