Ball State Cardinal Roundtable: Western Kentucky

(Every week, The Sixth Ball Brother and the other two Ball State sports blogs, Over The Pylon and Ball U Nation, participate in a Cardinal Roundtable, where we attempt to answer the key questions concerning this coming week's opponent. This week, it's Western Kentucky.

You can click on their answers at the bottom of this. This week's questions come from Alan at OTP—and you know me.)

1) So...Western Kentucky. Are you remotely worried about this game?

The only thing that really piques my interest is their schedule. They've played an extremely difficult one and won't exactly be worried about hosting a Top 25 team. It reminds me of Ball State last year when it became clear we weren't going to be intimidated going into someone's huge stadium and competing with them.

I also worry about their version of the "Wildcat" formation, in which running back Dexter Taylor takes the direct snap like the old Single Wing offense. Pretty crazy, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.

2) The first half against Toledo was simply brutal to watch. Is that slow start cause for concern as we go forth to Bowling Green?

Look, nobody's perfect. Every undefeated team has had some random temporary roadblocks, close calls or slip-ups. At the moment, I'll just say it's a blip on the radar screen.

We have had a little bit of trouble scoring in the red zone, but maybe I'm too confident in our team in that I expect a touchdown every single drive. This is the new Ball State (cue Jo Ann Gora voice).

3) This game has the potential to be a stat padder for some of the Cardinals and a chance for some younger guys to showcase what they can do. Who would you like to see get more reps than normal?

I'd like to see Nate reach the 400-yard mark with five touchdowns. He hasn't had the big, gaudy stat-like games yet. That being said, he hasn't had to because MiQuale has been unbelievable.

And I'd like Briggs Orsbon to be on the receiving end of this big game. I really like the kid. No wonder Purdue tried to steal him away from at the last second (although he says this isn't true, I want to run with it, haha).

4) What's the best thing you took away from the Toledo game? Conversely, what's the one thing of concern you took away from the Toledo game?

The best thing is our defense. Wow. I am officially on the bandwagon with these guys. The Cards have been hampered so much in the past by the lack of defense, that it's unbelievable seeing guys fly around like this. And I've never seen a defense with this many playmakers.

Concern...Hey Ian McGarvey, make some field goals!

5) The term "mid-major" and "BCS buster" gets thrown around a lot. Of the non-BCS teams ranked above the Cardinals, are there any you think the Cardinals couldn't beat?

I'm not sure we'd beat BYU. I almost think that the Cougars are going to make it to the national championship game.

It would definitely be a shootout for sure, somewhere in the 52-49 range. But I think the Cards would beat or stay within a point or two of the others. Our offense is too good.

6) Is there a player on Western Kentucky you'd like to snap up and switch shades of red and white?

I'm biased because I saw way more of Dexter Taylor in high school than one should, but that kid is a legitimate threat. No one could touch him in high school.

If anyone knows how to use him correctly, it's his high school coach, Kevin Wright, who is now Western Kentucky's offensive coordinator.

I would bet the house we're going to see A LOT of the Wildcat formation (or Single Wing, whichever you prefer depending on your age). Hopefully the defense is up to the task.

7) There's been quite the chatter this week about rankings and what they mean. Who is your Top 5 so far this season? More importantly, who do you have playing it out in the BCS Championship game?

Well, my preseason national title game was Missouri vs. Ohio State, so that's not going to happen. But I'm still sticking with Missouri. That team's sick.

The thought of Alabama making it to the title game makes me want to puke because I hate Nick Saban so much. This looks like another LSU year where they'll pull rabbits out of the hat again. So I'm going LSU-Missouri.

If USC makes it to the NC game, I'm going to go nuts. We had to listen last year about how USC was the best team in the nation, blah blah blah, but didn't make it.

Hey, you guys had the worst loss out of everyone in Stanford. And you have it again this year in Oregon State. Sorry 'bout cha.

Over The Pylon
Ball U Nation