Mid-American Conference Preview: Ball State

Ball State Cardinals

2015 Record: 3-9 (2-6, 5th in West)

Returning Starters: 6 OFF, 9 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule:

September:

2nd @Georgia State

10th @Indiana

17th EASTERN KENTUCKY

24th @Florida Atlantic

October:

1st NORTHERN ILLINOIS

8th @Central Michigan

15th @Buffalo

22nd AKRON

November:

1st WESTERN MICHIGAN

8th EASTERN MICHIGAN

16th @Toledo

22nd @Miami (OH)

There is a new man on the block in Muncie, Indiana and his name is Mike Neu. He's a former MAC Offensive Player of the Year and has been down in NOLA with my beloved Saints for the past 12 seasons. Knowing the Saints like I do, Neu is an offensive mind who hopefully has a strong defensive coordinator to back it up. 

Offensively, Ball State will return 6 starters from a unit that was 90th nationally in total offense. The passing attack was also 90th and they see their starting QB and two of their top three receivers returning. The rushing attack ranked 71st and returns all three of their main backs. The key for this is that 3 of their starting 5 offensive linemen have moved on to bigger and better things post-college. The offense will only go as far as the new line can carry them, but the skill positions are back and looking strong.

Defensively, things are nearly as sexy for the Cardinals. They were 121st in total defense, which isn't ideal. Their rushing defense is 114th and they gave up 5.9/carry. I'm no scientist, but when your opponent is over halfway to a first down after one carry, you may not be doing your job very well. Things got worse when looking to the 121st ranked passing defense. It could be good or bad news that 9 of the 11 starters from last year are returning. The season will go as far as the defense allows it to.

Player to Watch: Riley Neal

He's the quarterback. He's also the key to Neu's success. As a former qb himself, Neu will have a positive influence on Neal who is coming off a successful 2015 campaign and can only be expected to improve. If the defense continues to struggle, Neal will have to put up even stronger numbers than his 16td:6int ratio from 2015

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/24 @ Florida Atlantic

I'm not certain that they win this game, but FAU provides a team that is as inconsistent as Ball State and this game could mean the difference in bowl eligibility and sitting at home sadly watching the other guys have fun. There are several tossups on their schedule, but this one seems to be the most winnable and thus the most fun. 

Prediction

7-5 (4-4, MAC)

All my love, 

@corbeech