Toledo Blade: Can Toledo hang with Michigan

Hoke thinks UT can hang with Michigan

MAUREEN FULTON and RYAN AUTULLOBLADE SPORTS WRITERS

DETROIT - When the University of Toledo plays Michigan this fall at the Big House, perhaps it will look back at a recent near-miss by one of its conference brethren.

Ball State nearly took down the Wolverines in Ann Arbor in 2006, playing with a chance to tie the game on the UM 7-yard line with fewer than three minutes to play. UM came away with the 34-26 win.

Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said he thinks UT can perform just as well as his squad did at Michigan Stadium. The Rockets travel there Oct. 11 for the first time.

"When we played Michigan they were the No. 2 rated team in the country," Hoke said. "I don't think they'll be No. 2 this year. I think Toledo will do great. I have a lot of respect for the way [UT coach] Tom [Amstutz] runs his program."