2009 NCAA - Ball State
Kudos to Brady Hoke for his excellent leadership of the Ball State program the last six seasons in Muncie at his alma mater. Hoke took the San Diego State job shortly after the MAC Championship loss to Buffalo, the team's first of the year. Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish took the reigns before the bowl game against Tulsa, and Cardinal fans winced and can only hope things don't go this poorly going forward. Starting QB Nate Davis had another turnover-filled disaster in a driving rainstorm, and the defense looked lost, yielding 632 yards in a 45-13 shellacking. Parrish, in his 60s, has been an assistant for 20-plus years. He was the head coach at K-State BEFORE Bill Snyder, going 2-30-1 in three seasons, then getting axed. |
 |
Ball State
- Season wins over/under prediction
- Team Power ranking
- Recruiting
- Team Preview
- FREE $$$ BONUSES
Get your FREE copy NOW!
|
Redshirt frosh Kelly Page steps in to try to fill the large shoes of Davis. He's hurt by an O-line that has just one returning starter. The Cards also lost a standout wideout and a tight end with an NFL future. Everyone else returns. On defense, new coordinator Doug Graber ditched the former 3-4 and went to a 4-3 scheme that will have success if a veteran defensive line can stay healthy. Both safties are back, although new corners must step in, and there is experience at linebacker. The Cards should also enjoy good special teams, as K Ian McGarvey returns after an 111-point season. |
| ASK the bookie? - Until 2008, the non-conference schedule was unmanageable. Last season, though, the Cards won at Indiana and Western Kentucky and beat Northeastern and Navy at home en route to an eventual 12-0 season. The non-conference schedule is again not brutal, with only a trip to Auburn looking unwinnable. It's hard to imagine a serious decline immediately after a 12-0 season, though there will be a dropoff with the losses of Davis and Hoke. The Cards will have a chance to win the West in November, as they play three division foes to end the season after a bye. Call for at least seven wins and a chance to bowl again. |
|
 |
REQUEST YOUR COPY - FREE
get your 2009 NCAA Football Preview Guide. |
|