Grounding the Rockets: The Spectrum's Scouting Report

The Bulls will look to continue their scorching play when they travel to face Toledo Tuesday. In this section, The Spectrum's sports staff breaks down what Buffalo will need to do to win its eighth straight game.

Offensive player to watch:

David Fluellen, senior running back

Fluellen finished eighth in the nation in rushing yards in 2012 and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award - given to the nation's top running back.

The Western New York native has continued his success in his senior year, as he is currently second in the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards (trailing only UB's Branden Oliver).

Fluellen is averaging 133.4 yards per game and seven yards per carry, and Toledo's 238.9 rushing yards per game is second to Northern Illinois (312.7).

Fluellen is averaging 130.2 yards on the ground in Toledo's six victories this year, but only 95.3 yards in the Rockets' three losses.

Defensive player to watch:

Junior Sylvestre, junior linebacker

While UB has a potential top 10 NFL draft pick in Khalil Mack, Toledo has a stud linebacker of its own. Sylvestre is listed as a defensive back but has started at inside linebacker every game this year for the Rockets. He saw the field in every game of his freshman and sophomore years and totaled 68 tackles. He has topped that through just nine games this year.

Sylvestre is tied for first atop the MAC leaderboard in tackles with 92. He has made his presence known in the backfield as well - recording five sacks (eighth in MAC) and 8.5 tackles for loss (sixth in MAC).

Matchup to watch:

David Fluellen and Terrance Owens vs. Buffalo defense

Though the Bulls' offense - featuring school record-breaking players Oliver and receiver Alex Neutz - has been outstanding thus far, it's no secret their defense may be one of the best in program history.

They're allowing only 8.2 points per game in MAC play, and on Tuesday, the 'D' will face one of the most dynamic offenses in the conference. Fluellen will carry the offense, but quarterback Terrance Owens, now a senior, has started for the Rockets since the middle of his freshman year.

Owens stands tall in the pocket at 6-foot-4 and has speed to scramble for extra yards on broken plays. Buffalo halted Ohio's explosive offense last week, and if they can deliver again against Toledo, it should put them in good position to win their eighth consecutive game.

Prediction

If there is one game the Bulls can afford to lose and put an end to their seven-game win streak, it's this one. It's becoming more likely their matchup with Bowling Green on Nov. 29 will be a 'win and in' to the MAC Championship game. Still, a win over Toledo - one of the MAC's most consistent teams in recent years - would continue to increase the Bulls' burgeoning confidence.

Statistically, the Rockets have a worse run defense than Ohio, and we saw what Oliver did to the Bobcats last Tuesday - rushing for a school record 249 yards. The formula for the Bulls' success has been simple and remained consistent all season: run the ball and let the league's best defense force turnovers and set the offense up in advantageous field position.

Buffalo shouldn't have trouble running, but this will be the defense's toughest test since Baylor in Week Two. If it turns into a shootout, the Bulls may need to rely more upon sophomore quarterback Joe Licata. That shouldn't be a problem, as Licata has been one of the most efficient passers in the conference.

The Bulls have been crushing opponents during their seven-game win streak and have given us no reason to pick against them - but Toledo is going to be tough.

Buffalo 31, Toledo 28

email: sports@ubspectrum.com