The University of Toledo football team is set for its matchup with Akron in the Mid-American Conference championship game. The Rockets beat the Zips 48-21 on Oct. 21 at the Glass Bowl. The Rockets come in as heavy favorites.

Here are three keys to the game:

1. Akron can’t get behind early: In the first game, Toledo got off to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to three touchdown passes for Logan Woodside.

Akron coach Terry Bowden said the quick scores completely ruined any kind of game plan that the Zips had created. Bowden said the goal is to stick with Toledo and its high-powered offense as much as possible, then make the necessary plays late to pull off the upset.

2. Can Akron find a run game? Ever since Warren Ball went down with a season-ending injury earlier this season, Akron has struggled to run the ball. The Zips rank dead last in the conference in rushing. Their leading rushers — Manny Morgan and Van Edwards — each average less than 30 yards per game, with yards-per-carry averages of 3.9 and 3.4, respectively.

Akron will need to establish some sort of running game if it wants to keep the offense on the field and keep the ball away from Toledo. The biggest threat to run for the Zips may be quarterback Kato Nelson, who has shown the ability in the last three games to make plays with his legs on designed runs or when a pass play breaks down. Containing Nelson will be key for the UT defense.

3. Who will force a key turnover? With Akron looking for an upset win, it could be a turnover here or there that sparks the Zips. Toledo and Akron are among the best in the MAC in turnover margin. Toledo is tied for first at plus-8, while Akron is just behind in fourth at plus-7.

This season Toledo has taken care of the ball, and the Rockets’ 10 turnovers is the lowest mark in the conference. Woodside has just three interceptions this year, and the Rockets as a team have four interceptions and six fumbles.

RELATED: Rockets soared past Zips in first meeting this fall

The Zips have 17 interceptions this season, which is second in the MAC. They have also recovered five fumbles.

The Toledo coaches have preached turnovers in practice all season, and the Rockets are coming off a two-interception game against Western Michigan. Look for a sudden-change turnover to shift the momentum of the game.

Contact Brian Buckey at bbuckey@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.

First Published December 1, 2017, 9:52 p.m.