Ball State Cardinals 2009 Football Betting Preview

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Ball State 2008 Record: (12-2, 8-0)
Ball State 2008 Bowl: GMAC Bowl vs. Tulsa (L 13-45)
Ball State Coach: Stan Parrish (0-1 at Ball State, 57-42-3 overall)
Ball State Offensive Coordinator: Eddie Faulkner
Ball State Defensive Coordinator: Doug Graber
Ball State Returning Stats Leaders:

• Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, RB, 1,736 yards
• Passing: Tanner Justice, QB, 17 yards
• Receiving: Briggs Orsbon, WR, 813 yards
• Tackles: Alex Knipp, S, 96
• Sacks: Robert Eddins, DE, 4.0
• Interceptions: Sean Baker, S, 6

Notable Ball State Returning Players: LE Brandon Crawford, DT Drew Duffin, TE Madaris Grant, LB Davyd Jones, DT Rene Perry, G Michael Switzer

Ball State Key Losses: OT Robert Brewster, CB Trey Buice, G Kyle Cornwell, QB Nate Davis, C Dan Gerberry, LB Bryant Haines, CB B.J. Hill, TE Darius Hill, WR Louis Johnson, LB Kenny Meeks, P Chris Miller, OT Andre Ramsey

David Letterman’s Alma Mater had the best year in school history, finishing the regular season unbeaten and rising as high as #12 in the polls. However, a shocking title loss to Buffalo (where the Bulls had two fumble returns longer than 80 yards for touchdowns to totally change a game that Ball State was dominating yardage wise) followed up by a blowout in the GMAC Bowl ended the season on a sour note. Even worse, Head Coach Brady Hoke, a former Ball State player, jumped ship to San Diego State and starting quarterback Nate Davis declared early for the NFL Draft. There will be some continuity, however, as Offensive Coordinator Stan Parrish was promoted and will hope to continue the Cardinals’ success.

The best way to describe the offense this year would be ‘inexperienced.’ Davis (and his 4,000 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns) is gone, the offensive line only brings back one starter and their leading returning receiver is a sophomore. However, the great news is that senior tailback MiQuale Lewis returns after running for over 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns and tacking on another 300+ yards on 35 catches as a 1 st Team All-MAC selection in 2008. He will undoubtedly be the focal point of the offense. There is further good news as well. The sophomore I mentioned at receiver is Briggs Orbson, who caught 68 passes for 800+ yards and five touchdowns last year as a freshman. Expect him to be options one, two and three for whomever win the quarterback battle. Still, this offense will definitely take a step back as there is virtually no experience at quarterback or on the line of scrimmage. The Cardinals put up 35 points per game last fall, a number that they won’t even come close to approaching in 2009.

The defense is a much brighter picture. After allowing less than 21 points per game last year, the Cardinals return their entire starting defensive line and 4 th leading tackler Davyd Jones at linebacker. This group allowed a solid 163 yards per game on the ground last fall and shouldn’t take a significant step back. The return of both starting safeties, senior Alex Knipp and sophomore Sean Baker (both of whom exceeded 90 tackles last fall and were the top two tacklers on the team), are both excellent in run support, boding well for the Cardinals to continue their strong play. However, they have to replace two All-MAC performers at cornerback so their pass defense could take a hit. However, Ball State should still field a very competitive defense this fall.

Their schedule is fairly reasonable, beginning with a manageable non-conference line up. Only a road trip to Auburn looks like a game that the Cardinals will be heavily favored to lose. The conference draw with the East is fairly tough though, as they host Ohio and Bowling Green while traveling to Temple. They also close the season with three weeknight games, two of which are on the road. While Ball State’s schedule isn’t terrible and their defense appears solid, their offense appears to me as perhaps the conference’s worst. It is hard to run the football with your 1 st Team All-MAC tailback if he doesn’t get blocking especially if he is 5’6” like Lewis. It is even harder to get the ball to your star receiver if you have a new quarterback playing behind a porous offensive line that won’t allow Orsbon time to run his routes. I can’t imagine Ball State competing for the division title or qualifying for a bowl with such an ineffective unit.

Ball State Big Games: Oct. 3rd vs. Toledo, Oct. 24th @ EMU, Nov. 12th @ NIU, Nov. 24th @ WMU

Ball State’s Strength:

The Cardinals will have to rely on their defense more this year and that should not be a problem with the return of seven starters. Safeties Alex Knipp and Sean Baker will be the strong point of the unit. Koreen Burch and Torieal Gibson will take over at the corner spots and while they are relatively inexperienced, those two could emerge as solid players. The front four returns everybody, but they must do a better job getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. That job falls to ends Brandon Crawford and Robert Eddins. In the meantime, Drew Duffin and Rene Perry are experienced interior linemen who will stuff the run. Linebackers Bryant Haines and Kenny Meeks are gone and Davyd Jones has to step up and become a leader and Spain Cosby and Sam Woodworth better be ready to take on a starting role.

Ball State’s Weakness:

The offense was the best in the conference last season, but that will be difficult to duplicate since quarterback Nate Davis left early for the NFL. MiQuale Lewis rushed for 1,736 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior and should be in for a huge senior season, but he will not get the holes he got last year without the threat of a passing game or most of his offensive line. Guard Michael Switzer is the only starter returning to the line and the new quarterback could be in a lot of trouble if he cannot avoid sacks as well as Davis did in 2008. Tanner Justice was the quarterback in waiting, but now it appears like redshirt freshman Kelly Page will be starting on opening day.

Our Prediction for the 2009 Cardinals:

Ball State took a huge step forward last year, but the loss of Coach Hoke is a big one. The new staff has to take over this program and keep them moving in the right direction. After the success of the 2008 season, 2009 is bound to be a disappointment. The Cardinals will not win their first 12 games again and Coach Parrish will take a lot of heat if the team struggles, but simply getting back to a bowl game should be all the fans expect out of this team.

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