2009 Ball State Cardinals College Football Predictions

2009 Ball State Cardinals Predictions
2008 Record: (12-2, 8-0)
Coach: Stan Parrish, 1st year (0-1 at Ball State, 57-42-3 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Eddie Faulkner (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Doug Graber (1st year)
Returning Starters: 12 (4 offense, 7 defense, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

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Offense: The Cardinals are coming off a dream season, but going undefeated in the MAC means you usually lose your coach. Brady Hoke left after the MAC Championship game (42-24 loss to Buffalo) to take over at San Diego State. Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish took over for the GMAC Bowl (45-13 loss to Tulsa) and returns as the new head coach in the first full season. This year, Parrish has to replace star QB Nate Davis, who left early for the NFL. Freshman Kelly Page (6-3, 206) appears to have the edge after winning the job in the spring. At running back, they do return junior MiQuale Lewis (5-6, 184), who led the team with 1,736 ayrds and 22 TDs. They also return sophomore WR Briggs Orsbon (6-0, 189), who caught 68 passes for 813 yards last season. The key will be find four new starters on te line as the Cardinals return just one starter in junior LG Michael Switzer (6-5, 278).

Defense: The defense returns seven starters from a unit that allowed 20.5ppg (29th in the nation) and 368.2 yards per game (69th in the nation). With a new coach comes a new coordinator as Parrish hired Doug Graber to coach the defense. Graber will lean on his front line, which returns all four starters. Junior DE Robert Eddins (6-3, 224) leads the way with 45 tackles, 6.5 for loss and four sacks in 2008. The lineabckers return just one starter and that’s junior Davyd Jones (6-1, 210), who recorded 85 tackles and 12 for loss last year. In the secondary, they lose both corners and return both safeties. Senior FS Alex Knipp (6-0, 194) is back after leading the team with 96 tackles and 3.5 for loss. Sophomore SS Sean Baker (6-1, 204) added 94 tackles and six picks.

Outlook: The Cardinals face North Texas and New Hampshire to start the season at home. After that they face Army and Auburn on the road, so it’s not inconceivable that they could start 3-1. They also host Central Michigan and Bowling Green (they skip Buffalo) and face Western Michigan on the road to end the season. This is a team that should take a few steps back after losing Nate Davis, one of the best players in the MAC. This means they will have to rely on their running game.

This MAC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com