When Ball State University safety Eddie Burk first saw this year's schedule, the senior said he looked past the three BCS opponents his team would play and fixated on today's home matchup against the University of Toledo, which will be televised on ESPN2.
"When the schedule came out last year, you automatically knew that game and that night was going to be special," Burk said. "The first thing I thought when I saw that, I was like, ESPN is coming to Muncie, wow. That's all I could think about. Now, with everything that's on the line, ESPN is just more seasoning on the steak."
When the Cardinals and Rockets kick off at 7:30 p.m., it will be the first nationally televised home football game in the 83-year history of Ball State football. Cardinals' coach Brady Hoke has coached in numerous big games on national television while with the University of Michigan, including the 1997 Rose Bowl and the 1999 Orange Bowl.
While Hoke said it's an exciting time for Ball State and the Muncie community, he said his mind will be solely focused on beating Toledo during the game.
"Our kids will know it, you want to play good on national TV," Hoke said.
Other than the television audience, Hoke said it's very important to his players and team to have an overwhelming turnout from the student body.
"We want all the students there that we can get because they're a big part of this football team," Hoke said. "I want them to wear all their Ball State stuff. I like the white as best as anything, but come out and support us."
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