2018 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 13

Logan Woodside (QB – Toledo) vs. Western Michigan

This season Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside broke Bruce Gradkowski’s school records for most passing yards and touchdown passes in a career. In about five months he’ll look to join Gradkowski as the only Toledo quarterbacks to be selected in the NFL Draft since 1976. First, Woodside and the Rockets must dispose of Western Michigan to earn a spot in the MAC Championship Game against in-state rival Akron.

While every excuse in the book, including listing all the offensive players Wyoming lost, has been used by Josh Allen apologists to explain the reasoning behind his struggles this season, Woodside hasn’t missed a beat despite losing running back Kareem Hunt and tight end Michael Roberts to the NFL. In addition, his top receiver, Cody Thompson, has been out since early October with a broken leg. Woodside has thrown for 3,151 yards, completed 65.2 percent of his passes and has an incredible 22 to 2 touchdown to interception ratio on the season.  The senior still has as many as three games left to add to those totals. He’s also likely to earn a spot in a top postseason all-star game, either the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Game, where he can elevate his 2018 NFL Draft stock.

Even without Thompson, the deep ball has still been the weapon of choice for the Rockets offense. Per Pro Football Focus, Woodside leads the FBS with 36.3 yards per touchdown pass in 2017.

Knocking off Western Michigan would pit Toledo against Akron in the MAC title game. In two games against the Zips, Woodside has completed over 70 percent of his passes and thrown eight touchdowns compared to just one interception. If Toledo does slip up, Northern Illinois will get into the championship game with a win over Central Michigan.