Western Herald Staff Picks

Mark Rudi
Western Herald

(Photos courtesy of Ball State University) Running back MiQuale Lewis.

There is no doubt Western Michigan will be by far Ball State’s toughest opponent this season. Las Vegas has BSU by 11, but I completely disagree. This game will be much closer than that. This game is going to be all offense and I expect a high scoring game.
The Cardinals have the MAC’s second best defense and is going up against the MAC’s best passing offense in WMU. However, BSU is in the middle of the conference in passing defense and gave up 345 yards to Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour last week. But in the end, the BSU offense with Nate Davis and MiQuale Lewis will be too much for the Broncos.
BSU 41, WMU 38

Roger Sievers
Western Herald

It has all come down to this. WMU is the final hurdle that Ball State needs to jump before they have an undefeated regular season. Well, sorry Cardinal fans.
It won’t be this year. Although Ball State will have home field advantage and the game will be on national television, the odds are just too much against a team going undefeated, let alone one from the MAC.
Yes, Nate Davis is a great quarterback and MiQuale Lewis is a good running back, but the Broncos have a great quarterback in Tim Hiller and a great wide receiver in Jarmarko Simmons. This game will be evenly matched, but I have to give it to the Broncos because it is too hard in this day and age to go undefeated.
WMU 28, BSU 24

Zachary Reichard
Managing Editor

(Photos courtesy of Ball State University) Head coach Brady Hoke.

When two teams are balanced as well as these two are, it comes down to who can move the ball when they absolutely need to. Against Central Michigan University, Ball State was able to score when they needed to whereas Western was unable to come up with the crucial points to get back into the game. Ball State has a third-down conversion rate of 50 percent, which means defenses are unable to get off the field and helps them control the clock.
With the week off to prepare for the game and with Ball State having played their two toughest opponents in back to back weeks, Western will hang with BSU. However, Ball State will be ready for the Broncos’ best, and won’t overlook them.
BSU 38, WMU 28

Kris Hitchcock
Web Manager

This is a game that features two extremely high-powered offenses, capable of putting up a lot of points in a hurry.  Both teams feature an excellent starting quarterback, top rushing attack, and a handful of talented receivers.  How can you compare two offenses that are both diverse and effective?
The deciding factor in the contest will be WMU’s experience in playing tougher opponents.  Their matchups against Nebraska and Illinois have helped the Broncos take on a tougher mentality than Ball State has had to develop.  Who has been Ball State’s toughest opponent so far? Last week against CMU, who pushed BSU to the limit. I expect the letdown after that tough game, as well as the pressure of remaining undefeated, to spell a loss for the Cardinals, and a high-scoring victory for the Brown and Gold.
WMU 38, BSU 21

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 25 2008. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com