The Ball State Cardinals Have Earned Respect

For most of this season, the Ball State football team has had its talent underestimated, its schedule ridiculed, and its name become synonymous with the word "overrated."

Oh sure, the Cardinals earned a token of respect after their nationally televised win over Navy early in the season, but that was soon followed by "Wait until IU."  After dismantling the Hoosiers in Bloomington, instead of hearing what a good win it was over a BCS team, we heard how terrible Indiana must be. 

After rattling off six wins over MAC teams and Western Kentucky, we heard "wait until you play Central Michigan."  After dispatching CMU in Mt. Pleasant, the warning was changed slightly to "wait until Western Michigan." 

We waited, and Ball State did what it's done all year long—won.

Friday, the 12th-ranked Cardinals take to the field once again, this time against the Buffalo Bulls.  There is a lot on the line: the MAC Championship, a chance to extend their perfect record to 13-0, and an opportunity to rise even further in the polls.

Beyond that, it's another step towards gaining the respect this team deserves from people outside Muncie, IN and the Mid-American conference. 

Critics are quick to point to their weak strength-of-schedule.  To be sure, it is nothing to brag about, but that barely scratches the surface. Who you play is important.  How you win is at least as important, if not more. 

The Cardinals have been in one close game this season—at Central Michigan.  You can count on one hand the number of times they've been behind in a game this year. 

They lost the heart of their offense and the nation's leading receiver at the time when Dante Love went down with a career-ending injury against Indiana in the fourth game of the year.

How many teams could lose their most talented player and seemingly not miss a beat?  It's a testament to the talent, focus and drive this team has, things that don't always jump out at you on a stat sheet.

This team is loaded with players who will be given more than a passing look by NFL scouts.  They aren't just a good mid-major team; their ranking is legitimate. 

Ball State is one of the elite programs in the country, and this year the team is led by a quarterback as cool as they come.

Nate Davis is fearless under pressure, clutch when the game's on the line, and there isn't a throw he can't make.  The passing game is made possible by a talented running game thanks to MiQuale Lewis, who is in the top five in the country in rushing. 

Of course, all of this offense is attributed to a senior-laden and talented offensive line that keeps Davis' jersey clean and opens up holes for Lewis to sneak through. 

While a BCS Bowl bid for this unbeaten group is not going to happen, fans are holding out hope a high quality bowl opponent awaits. 

If they can dispatch Buffalo and defeat a high caliber bowl opponent to end its run at 14-0, maybe the rest of college football will know what we've known all along.

Ball State is worthy of respect.