Cardinal Preview: Indiana (hatehatehatehate)

vs.

Ball State vs. Indiana
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Game Time: 7:00pm
Television: Big Ten Network

It's Friday of IU Hate Week, and with it comes our preview of tomorrow's showdown. Well, showdown for Ball State. Listening to most IU fans talk, this is going to be a walkthrough for them. Sort of a glorified scrimmage to get them warmed up for Big Ten play. I think it's admirable that Ball State took our little old football team down to Bloomington to let the Hoosiers warm up against us. I mean, we're no Murray State or Western Kentucky, but I'm glad that IU threw us a bone and let us step on the field with them. Sort of like the ESPN "My Wish" segments where the retarded kid gets to meet his idols. We should be honored. We should bow to their impressive standard of Hoosier State mediocrity.

As I have been informed, this isn't a rivalry game for Indiana. In fact, it's no different than playing any of the other tune up games they've played. This is simply a game to get a W, and then move along to the "real competition" of the Big 10. Apparently "real competition" means getting your ass knocked around and finishing in the bottom half of the conference. Noted.

The Basics:
Ball State University Cardinals:
Location: Muncie, IN
Record: 3-0 (1-0 MAC)
Last Week: W vs. Akron 41-24

Indiana University Hoosiers:
Location: Bloomington, IN
Record: 2-0 (0-0 Big 10)
Last Week: W vs. Murray State 45-3 (Sep. 6)

Offense: To call this game "offensively centered" would be like calling Pearl Harbor a "sort of underhanded attack". Both teams come into the game with high powered offenses, playmakers all over the field, and the ability to shift gears when needed based on the balance of each team. IU brings a mobile quarterback, very different than Ball State. Junior Kellen Lewis is a severe threat to the chances of winning this game, as he can throw the ball, run the ball, and according to some IU fans, feed the masses at Memorial Stadium with just three fish and a loaf of bread. He also rolls an amazingly tight spliff from intelligence I've gathered.

IU also brings an outside rushing threat in Marcus Thigpen. The 5-9 senior has amazing speed and when he gets to the outside and turns the corner he's dangerous as evidenced by his 100-yard game against Murray State. Gone for the Hoosiers is big play wideout James Hardy, who torched the Cardinals for 116 yards and 2 scores on 8 catches last year. The Hoosiers have gained at least 450 yards in each of their last two games.

When BSU has the ball, it's the Nate Show live on location in Bloomington. Through the air, the Cardinals are one of the best in the nation, with receiver Dante Love. Davis is accurate and has yet to have a game under 300 yards this season. Overlooked in this offensive attack is MiQuale Lewis, a tough back who has increased production every game this season with his season-high 154 yards last week against Akron.
Advantage: By a small margin, but against an equal defense, I give BSU the edge.

Defense: Indiana comes to the game with an outstanding front 7 and a good secondary. Their weakness, if they have one, is the corner spot. Additionally, safety Austin Thomas is questionable to play. His running mate in the secondary is Nick Polk, who was signed to the program as a receiver. Polk is hard-hitting, fast, and has great hands. He'll largely be counted on to cover TE Darius Hill's routes across the middle or Dante Love's deep threats.

The defensive line is paced by ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. The key matchup will be Indiana's defensive line against BSU's O-line. If they can win the battle up front, pressure Davis into mistakes, and not let him sit back and pick apart the secondary, then Indiana will be very successful.

Ball State comes to the Indiana game with a bit of a chip on its defensive shoulder. Though three games into the season, BSU has only played a traditional D-1 offense one time against Akron. Their first game against Northeastern was 1-AA and Navy brings with it a triple option attack. Against the Zips, the Cardinals were serviceable but not outstanding. They allowed 299 through the air and 119 on the ground, but almost 5 yards per carry on rushing attempts.

The front 7 is of great concern against an IU offensive line that is Big 10 quality. The good news for the BSU defense is IU is replacing three senior starters from that offensive line. The O-line for Indiana appears to be improving, giving up 2 sacks in the season opener to WKU and none the following week against Murray State. The defense doesn't need a herculean effort here, but it does need to perform well enough to not put the offense in holes. I am impressed by the ability of the defense to perform better against a team the second time they see them. The Navy game was a great example of knowing a team better and performing better against them the following year.
Advantage: The margin is reduced by the injury to safety Austin Thomas but IU does have the edge.

Coaching: Bill Lynch. Brady Hoke. Do we really need to continue? Lynch has had talent at IU unlike Hoke had when he started at BSU thanks largely to Terry Hoeppner's ability to recruit to Indiana and Lynch's inability to recruit in Muncie. On a sheer x's and o's standpoint, it's probably a push, but the simple fact that Lynch has a head coaching job anywhere after the trainwreck of his Ball State is laughable. Their both changing directions in their programs. The difference is Hoke is turning the corner to be a better football team. Lynch will simply fiddle on while the Titanic sinks around him.
Advantage: As evidenced by the fact that some IU fans are saying Hoke should be considered when Lynch inevitably leaves.

Intangibles: It's a respect game for both programs. Ball State is looking for respect from their in-state BCS brethren. The fans of IU have overlooked the program, insulted the school, and acted like this game is completely insignificant to the IU fanbase. It's just another game to them. Thankfully, games are not played on fansites.

For Indiana it's a game to get respect from the national media who seem smitten with Ball State. They're getting votes in both Top 25 polls. ESPN is writing columns about the Cardinals. No one, aside from their fans and team, is talking about IU. The arguments against their weak schedule, perennial drubbings from Big 10 opponents, and a general lack of respect amongst the media have given IU material for motivation should they choose to use it.

Normally the crowd and a game at night is a significant advantage for the home team. But let's be realistic... this is Indiana. I've been to games at Memorial Stadium and usually the only large crowds are brought with them by Michigan, Ohio State, or Kentucky.
Advantage: Push

Mascot:
Indiana University:

Indiana doesn't have a mascot for their Hoosier team names. So we get Coach Dale. In all his player punching rage. Woody Hayes says, "Good choice."

Ball State:

Charlie Cardinal. Bird of the people.
Advantage: Cardinals aren't the fiercest birds around, but damn it we have a mascot. What sort of communist school doesn't have a mascot?! If the teams go by Hoosiers, then just pick an Indiana resident to walk around and high five people. This is fifth grade shit.

Overall: I am a firm believer that flipping a coin will have just as good a chance as predicting the winner of this game than rational thought. The turning point in this game may very well be a key turnover, a defensive touchdown, or a special teams play. For the IU fans thinking Nate Davis and co. are going to be shut down by the IU defense, dream on. For the Cardinals fans expecting Ball State to walk out with a 20-point win, dream on. It's going to be an exciting game and one that will most likely come down to the wire. IU is a team to watch, who is capable of beating anyone. They are also not good enough to overlook anyone either. I'll root for them the rest of the year, but come Saturday, it's hate. Epic, massive, gargantuan. A supersize hate burger with a side of hate fries and a Hatorade to wash it all down. Game on. Hatehatehatehate.

Prediction:
Ball State 42
Indiana 38