ball st
- Thread starter bej0101
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Going up with a group of 16 to tailgate and open up the college football season. :00hour :00hour
Miami University at Ball State 7:00 PM Thursday, August 30
Why to Watch: With a little bit of luck, and the right breaks, this could be a preview of the MAC title game. Ball State is a rising player in the conference thanks to QB Nate Davis and a high-octane passing game, while Miami, coming off an abysmal 2-10 season should be able to quickly rebound with a strong team all across the board. Ball State won last year's matchup 20-13 in Oxford to kick off a run of three wins in four games to close out the year. With three straight road trips to follow, the Cardinals need this game. Miami has a nasty five-game stretch to follow and might have to pull off the opening day road win to avoid a possibly horrific start.
Why Miami University Might Win: The Ball State defense is experienced, but it likely won't be special against the run and isn't going to generate much in the way of pressure right off the bat. With a veteran offensive backfield, and an improved offensive line, the RedHawks should be able to move the ball however it wants to. The Cardinal defensive front should be shoved around a little bit. On the other side, Miami's defensive strength is in the secondary. Ball State's strength is in the passing game. However ...
Why Ball State Might Win: ... BSU's strength is a big, big strength. Davis might be the MAC player of the year when all is said and done, and he could become the type of player who can carry the team through games like this by himself. Defensively, while Ball State might not be a rock over the first half of the season against the run, the MU offensive line still has to prove it can play. Awful last year, mostly due to injuries, the RedHawk front five could use a warm-up game or three that it won't get.
Who to watch: Charlie Norden, Dave DiFranco, Steve Meister, Matt McKeown, Steve Sutter, and the rest of the Miami offensive line. QB Mike Kokal, RB Brandon Murphy, and the defense are all good enough to win a title with, but none of it will matter if the front five doesn't produce. It couldn't stop anyone's pass rush last year and did nothing to open up running lanes. Now healthy, and experienced, this group could make or break the MAC season.
What Will Happen: This will be the first statement Miami makes that it's back to being a MAC power. The Cardinals have the makeup, and even the momentum from last year, to come up with a win that could kick off one of the program's best seasons in years, but MU will play sharper, tougher, and with a greater sense of urgency.
CFN Prediction: Miami 27 ... Ball State 24 ...
Line: Ball State -6
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can?t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
Miami University at Ball State 7:00 PM Thursday, August 30
Why to Watch: With a little bit of luck, and the right breaks, this could be a preview of the MAC title game. Ball State is a rising player in the conference thanks to QB Nate Davis and a high-octane passing game, while Miami, coming off an abysmal 2-10 season should be able to quickly rebound with a strong team all across the board. Ball State won last year's matchup 20-13 in Oxford to kick off a run of three wins in four games to close out the year. With three straight road trips to follow, the Cardinals need this game. Miami has a nasty five-game stretch to follow and might have to pull off the opening day road win to avoid a possibly horrific start.
Why Miami University Might Win: The Ball State defense is experienced, but it likely won't be special against the run and isn't going to generate much in the way of pressure right off the bat. With a veteran offensive backfield, and an improved offensive line, the RedHawks should be able to move the ball however it wants to. The Cardinal defensive front should be shoved around a little bit. On the other side, Miami's defensive strength is in the secondary. Ball State's strength is in the passing game. However ...
Why Ball State Might Win: ... BSU's strength is a big, big strength. Davis might be the MAC player of the year when all is said and done, and he could become the type of player who can carry the team through games like this by himself. Defensively, while Ball State might not be a rock over the first half of the season against the run, the MU offensive line still has to prove it can play. Awful last year, mostly due to injuries, the RedHawk front five could use a warm-up game or three that it won't get.
Who to watch: Charlie Norden, Dave DiFranco, Steve Meister, Matt McKeown, Steve Sutter, and the rest of the Miami offensive line. QB Mike Kokal, RB Brandon Murphy, and the defense are all good enough to win a title with, but none of it will matter if the front five doesn't produce. It couldn't stop anyone's pass rush last year and did nothing to open up running lanes. Now healthy, and experienced, this group could make or break the MAC season.
What Will Happen: This will be the first statement Miami makes that it's back to being a MAC power. The Cardinals have the makeup, and even the momentum from last year, to come up with a win that could kick off one of the program's best seasons in years, but MU will play sharper, tougher, and with a greater sense of urgency.
CFN Prediction: Miami 27 ... Ball State 24 ...
Line: Ball State -6
Must See Rating: (5 Hef wants you to take his place on The Girls Next Door, but you can?t because you have to watch this game - 1 Cavemen) ... 2.5
