Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Rockets open their conference season with an early showdown game at defending Mid-American Conference champion Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 25 (2:00 p.m. ESPN+).
Despite being the very first game of the conference schedule, much is at stake in this battle. The Cardinals, preseason pick to repeat as league champions by both the league's media and coaches, are still the team to beat in the MAC at this point. Plus, the winner of Saturday's game will hold the head-to-head tie-breaker and thus virtually a two-game edge in the battle for the West Division crown.