DETROIT, Mich. – The Toledo football team has been picked to win the Mid-American Conference in a vote by the league's head coaches. The preseason poll was released today at the conference's annual Football Media Day held at the Fox Theater in Detroit. The defending MAC champion Rockets were chosen by 11 of the 12 coaches to win the West Division crown, while seven coaches also picked Toledo to win the MAC Championship title game at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 2

The Rockets received 66 total points in the poll, 11 points ahead of second-place Eastern Michigan. Ohio (63 points and nine first-place votes) was chosen to win the East Division. Toledo defeated the Bobcats, 17-7, in last year's MAC Championship Game and went on to defeat Liberty, 21-19, the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl.

Head Coach Jason Candle's Rockets return seven All-MAC players from last year's team, including junior quarterback Dequan Finn and All-American cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
 
The defending MAC Champion Rockets have six home games in the Glass Bowl in 2023, including four Saturday games in the month of September. The home season kicks off with "Toledo's Biggest Party" on Saturday, Sept. 9 in a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Texas Southern. The Homecoming game is on Sept. 30 at 3:30 p.m. vs. Northern Illinois.

To order tickets or for more information, please visit this link or call/text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours. 

2023 MAC Football Head Coaches Preseason Poll (first place votes)
 
East Division
1. Ohio – 63 points (9)
2. Miami – 52 points (2)
3. Buffalo – 51 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 35 points
5. Akron – 26 points
6. Kent State – 19 points
 
West Division
1. Toledo – 66 points (11)
2. Eastern Michigan – 55 points (1)
3. Northern Illinois – 38 points
4. Central Michigan – 37 points
5. Ball State – 27 points
6. Western Michigan – 23 points
 
MAC Champion: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)