Toledo vs. Akron 2017 live stream: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch MAC Championship online

The Toledo Rockets and the Akron Zips already went head-to-head back in October, but this time the stakes are much higher. The teams will clash for the 2017 Mid-American Conference (MAC) football championship Saturday in Detroit. ESPN (live stream) will broadcast the action live from Ford Field at 12 p.m. ET.

Toledo (10-2, 7-1) was just too powerful for Akron (7-5, 6-2) in October, beating the Zips, 48-21. The Rockets, the MAC West champions, are averaging 38.7 points per game this season, which means Akron has to tighten up its defense to win this game. The Zips, the East champs, are only averaging 23.3 points per game this season.

The Toledo Rockets (9-2, 6-1 MAC) hosted the Western Michigan Broncos (6-5, 4-3 MAC) at the Glass Bowl with a lot on the line. Toledo needed a win (or at least a Northern Illinois loss) to earn the MAC West title and a trip to the MAC Championship Game. Western Michigan needed a win to guarantee a bowl appearance. Toledo ended up achieving their goal, beating Western Michigan 37-10.

When Terry Bowden was hired to coach the Akron Zips, most thought it was only a matter of time until the Zips were competing for Mid-American Conference Championships. After their win Tuesday night over the Kent State Golden Flashes 24-14, the Zips are one step closer as they clinched the MAC East division title and the subsequent trip to Detroit.

It was far from high dramatics at InfoCision Stadium, though, as Akron jumped out early to a 10-0 lead and used a 40-yard fumble return just before halftime to lead 24-7 at the break. That was one of three turnovers for Kent State in the contest, compared to one for the Zips.

Toledo’s offense is nearly unstoppable, and Akron will struggle early and often to stifle that high-powered attack. Toledo wins.