Ball State still has to play Western Michigan (9-2, 6-1) next weekend, so they aren’t guaranteed of anything if they win tonight. Still, tonight’s game represents one more giant hurdle on Ball State’s improbable journey to BCS consideration. A serious discussion of their chances is grossly premature, what with the two toughest conference games on their schedule still in the front of Cardinals, as well as a potential conference title game. But getting a little excited about it seems just fine by me.

Standing in the way of the mighty Ball State Lettermans tonight is Central Michigan and defending MAC Player of the Year Dan LeFevour. The starting quarterback leads Central Michigan in both passing and rushing. Last season, LeFevour treated the Ball State defense like it was warm butter. He knifed through the Cardinals for 506 yards of total offense (including a career-high 146 on the ground) and six total touchdowns. The Chippewas won that game 58-38.

So I don’t think anyone has to worry about Ball State overlooking Central Michigan or taking LeFevour lightly. He has proven himself to be the most talented and accomplished individual player in the conference (no offense to Nate Davis). Containing LeFevour will be imperative tonight if Brady Hoke and Ball State are to keep their magical undefeated season alive.

For Ball State, they are hoping to play the solid, disciplined football that has gotten them to this stage in the season without a blemish on their record. The Cardinals are currently the least penalized team in the nation and have not committed a penalty in three games. For the season, Ball State is averaging 2.6 penalties per game. Penn State is second in the national at 3.2 penalties per game. Pretty impressive.

In addition to being disciplined, Ball State’s stars will have to play like stars. Quarterback Nate Davis and running back MiQuale Lewis have had oustanding seasons thus far. They have racked up stats and highlights, while leading the Cardinals to a combined 40 touchdowns. Dan LeFevour is going to lead Central Michigan up and down the field. For Ball State to win on the road, Nate Davis will have to match him.

And after saying that, I look at the stats and realize that Ball State is 15th in nation in scoring offense, while Central Michigan is only 44th. The biggest difference is the ground game. Ball State averages 194.2 yards per game on the ground while Central Michigan averages only 131.3. In big games, the team that controls the ball and clock with a solid running game is usually at a significant advantage. The team with fewer penalties also usually has an advantage.

However, the team with the best player and the home field has a couple of significant advantages in its favor too. So by now means is it a foregone conclusion that Ball State will waltz into Central Michigan and win just because they are ranked in the top 20.

In fact, remember: Central Michigan has won the last four meetings. And they spanked the holy hoke out of Ball State last year in Muncie. According to MiQuale Lewis, that result has stuck with the Cardinals players. “What they did to us last year in our stadium — everybody’s got that in the back of their heads,” running back MiQuale Lewis said. As long as they can channel that revenge in the right way, it could be a tipping point that puts the game in Ball State’s favor.

My gut tells me that Central Michigan will win this game. LeFevour and the home field advantage and the four straight wins are tough to overcome. However, I am rooting for Ball State. And Monday night, I picked the Browns to beat the Bills even though my gut said pick the Bills. I’ll stick with what’s working.

The gut says Central Michigan, but the fingers are typing Ball State.

Prediction: Ball State 42 | Central Michigan 38

[tags]ball state cardinals, central michigan, MAC, college football[/tags]

With their 31-16 victory over Miami (Ohio) last night on ESPN, the Ball State Cardinals moved to 10-0 on the season with a huge showdown looming next week against Central Michigan.

(Editor’s note: To see a hilarious Top 10 Reasons Why Ball State Should be in the BCS, head over to The World of Isaac.  Funny stuff.  Any post that includes a pic of Ron Jeremy and the “Boom Goes the Dynamite” video is worth reading.)

As usual, the key for Ball State was quarterback Nate Davis. No, not that Nate Davis, this one:

This guy is really, really good and is not getting nearly enough attention around the country for his weekly exploits. For the season, Nate Davis has thrown 20 TD passes against 6 INTs and has a passer rating of 168.00. He has also run for 3 TDs and has only been sacked 8 times. I’m not to here to say that Nate Davis is anywhere near the level of Michael Crabtree, Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, Tim Tebow, or even Mullet All-Star Albert Jergens; but Nate Davis is certainly having a season worthy of some national attention.

Ball State is also getting outstanding play from MiQuale Lewis, who has rushed for nearly 1,300 yards through ten games and has scored 17 TDs. It is hard to find a 1-2 offensive combination anywhere else in the country that has been as profilic as Davis-Lewis have been this season.

Currently, the Cardinals sit at #14 in the AP Poll and #16 in the Coaches Poll. They are #14 in the latest BCS Standings, behind two-loss heroes Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma State, and Missouri. Who knows what would happen if Ball State ended up playing against one of the big boys in a BCS game — but I’d definitely like to see it happen. The Cardinals were able to go on the road and win in the Big Ten earlier this year, beating Indiana 42-20. I realize it’s just Indiana, but it’s still a 22-point win on the road in the Big Ten. Nothing to sneeze at. (Never mind, it was Indiana, what am I saying?)

Next week, Ball State takes on Central Michigan in what has to be one of the 5-10 biggest games in the history of the MAC. Central Michigan also has a Big Ten road victory this season, taking out Indiana in Bloomington as well a few weeks ago. The Chippewas almost took down Purdue earlier in the season too. Led by quarterback Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan is currently undefeated in the MAC at 5-0 and 7-2 overall. They play 5-4 Northern Illinois tonight, and if the Chippewas can take care of business it will set up next week’s matchup for all the marbles in the MAC West, as both Central Michigan and Ball State will enter the game 6-0. That game will be played at Central Michigan.

As a fan of Midwest sports, I will be rooting for Ball State. I would love to see the Cardinals crack the BCS and get a shot to take down a major program. I remember how exciting the Boise State-Oklahoma game was a few years ago and Ball State has the kind of dynamic offensive talent that could make things difficult on a major program.

One thing is for sure: Ball State has an outstanding quarterback in Nate Davis to go along with a solid ground game. The Cardinals haven’t gotten too much national attention, but if they can beat Central Michigan next week and take care of business the rest of the way, America will have no choice but to pay attention to the team from Muncie, Indiana. And finally, people will something to say about Ball State other than the fact that it is David Letterman’s alma mater. (And that they have hats that say “Ball U” on them. I’ve considered becoming a fan for that reason alone.)

Congrats on a great season so far Ball State — now finish the job, and give Midwest sports fans like me who root for crappy teams (Indiana, Tennessee) someone to root for come January.

[tags]college football, ball state, central michigan, Mid-American Conference[/tags]