Offense
BALL STATE - The statistics speak for the Cardinals' explosiveness on offense. In 2007, an offense that carried Ball State to its most successful year since 1996 ranked in the top three in three of the four major offensive categories in the Mid-American Conference. It was first in passing offense and third in scoring offense and total offense. The one category that fell in the middle of the road, its rushing offense, should be much improved with the return of last year's starting running back, MiQuale Lewis.
NORTHEASTERN - The Huskies' offense was one of their numerous team disappointments last year. Northeastern ranked in the Colonial Athletic
ADVANTAGE - CARDINALS
Defense
BALL STATE - There's no doubt the Cardinals defense was the weaker of its two units in 2007. It wasn't close to being as productive as an offense that was one of the top in the MAC, but coach Brady Hoke is expecting a better group in 2008. The two things Hoke said his defense has improved most in is team speed and a depth, a by-product of returning a large group of young talent. The Cardinals' defense has improved considerably each year for the past couple seasons, and it will be interesting to see whether it can take a another step toward solidifying itself in 2008.
NORTHEASTERN - Northeastern's defense was just as bad as its offense last season. Resembling a slice of swiss cheese, the Huskies ranked ninth in total defense and scoring defense last season. Looking at the challenges Northeastern's and Ball State's defense will have tonight, it would qualify as the understatement of the year to say the Huskies have the more daunting task.
ADVANTAGE - CARDINALS
Special Teams
BALL STATE - No one questions the talents of Ball State punter Chris Miller, who became the sixth first team All-American in program history last season. It's the Cardinals' dreadful field goal kicking, which tied for ninth of 13 teams in the MAC with a 64.3 conversion rate, that made it difficult for fans to digest their popcorn last season. After winning the starting battle for place kicker against Jake Hogue near the end of last season, Ian McGarvey will handle field goals and extra points against Northeastern. His competency doesn't approach Miller's, but it wouldn't be too difficult to improve off last season's performance.NORTHEASTERN - You'd think the one area Northeastern would have to hold the edge would be with its field goal kicking, but you'd be wrong. The Huskies finished last in the CAA last season with a 37.5 percent clip. It made three field goals all season - by far the least in the conference - and it wasn't because the offense was too busy scoring touchdowns. Similar to Ball State, Northeastern's punting game was significantly better than its field goal kicking. Starting punter Ron Conway ranked first in the conference with a 39.4 yard-per-punt average, but he is severely out matched against Miller.
ADVANTAGE - CARDINALS
Coaching
BALL STATE - Fans haven't forgotten the coaching blunder at the end of the first half against Miami last season when Brady Hoke decided to forego a field goal opportunity and instead tried to score a touchdown on fourth down. Oh yeah, and Ball State happened to lose to the RedHawks 14-13, a defeat that almost cost it a bowl game later in the season. Even though there were a couple head-scratching decisions last year, it doesn't overlook the job Hoke has done stock piling talent throughout Ball State's roster. Perhaps the toughest task to do in college sports is awake a dormant program, and Hoke is mastering that skill in the job he's doing with Ball State.NORTHEASTERN - After inheriting the program in 2004, coach Rocky Hager hasn't been able to maintain the success his predecessor, Don Brown, began at the end of his term. In his fourth season at Northeastern, Hager is responsible for a 15-29 record. The highest win total came in his first year when he led the program to a 5-6 record. Last year, the team finished a disappointing 3-8, including 2-6 in the CAA. However, Hager's program has the opportunity to begin its season with a monumental upset tonight against Ball State.
ADVANTAGE - CARDINALS
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