Ball State vs. Northern Illinois | inspin's Blog

Cardinals -9 1/2 vs. Huskies

The list of undefeated teams remaining in college football includes who? Ball State? It's true. Ball State (8-0, 4-0) has not been getting much love nationally because they play in the Mid-American Conference which is often lost on the national stage and is also often blocked out by the large shadow of the big brother residing in the same region of the country, the Big Ten. But one of the bigger reasons Ball State has not received more national acclaim and attention is that they really have not beaten anyone of note. This will change beginning with tonight's game against Northern Illinois.

The Ball State Cardinals are ranked 16th in the country and count their two best wins of the season as a 35-23 victory over the Naval Academy and a victory over the hapless Indiana Hoosiers from the "big brother" conference. The win over Navy was the only one that Ball State has achieved that was over a team who is over .500 at this point in the season. But times will be getting tougher for the Cardinals who face a 5-3 Huskies team who have a 4-1 conference mark. North Illinois will then finish out their season with the Western Division leading Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant and their home finale against Western Michigan who boasts a 5-1 MAC record.

The last time out Idle Ball State beat Eastern Michigan 38-16 on October 25. Nate Davis was the star of the show, going 17 of 31 for 241 yards including two touchdowns and a touchdown reception. He will face a tougher test with Northern Illinois' ninth ranked defense by allowing only 13.6 points per game.

The Huskies also enjoyed a bye week last Saturday. Their vacation followed a 16-13 home victory over Bowling Green. Northern Illinois gained 233 yards, which marked the third straight game eclipsing the 200 yard mark.

For Ball State to start 9-0 for the first time since 1965, they will have to reverse recent history against NIU. The Huskies have won three straight in the series and four straight on the Cardinals home field. But the Northern Illinois Huskies will have to excise some demons of their own as they attempt to snap a five game losing streak to Top 25 teams. Their last victory was over Alabama in 2003.

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