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NCAA Football Betting Online: The Ball State Cardinals epitomize what it means to be a member of the MAC. One season you’re up and the next you’re down. It happens in this league with turnover among coaching staffs and recruiting battles over what’s left of the latest class. The Cardinals were up just four years ago winning 10 games and competing in its last bowl game. They won 19 games over a two-year stretch. They missed out on a West Division title both seasons and have since fallen into obscurity with 12 overall wins in the past three years.
2017 Ball State Cardinals at a Glance
Cardinals National Championship Odds: +50000
Cardinals Regular Season Win Total: 4
The Cardinals went into a slide during the last two seasons under Pete Lembo, leaving former BSU player and Arena Football legend Mike Neu to pick up the pieces. The team experienced growing pains under their first-year coach, but showed improvement. The Cards were 4-3 after beating Buffalo on the road, but five straight losses to close the year left a sour taste in their mouths.
Neu worked with Drew Brees for a few seasons while on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, and while he doesn’t compare his starter Riley Neal to the NFL star, he likes what he has. Neal was good as a sophomore completing 61.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,541 yards and 13 touchdowns. He did throw 12 picks, which was a concern, but another year of seasoning should help in that area.
Another area that will help is the ground game, which should be one of the best in the MAC. James Gilbert had an All-American season rushing for 1,332 yards, 12 touchdowns and placing second in the MAC with 111 yards per game. Neal is also a threat to run the ball after scooting for 540 yards and Darian Green is back after compiling 311 yards. The Cards averaged 220 yards on the ground and will need an efficient attack to help the passing game which lost several play makers on the outside.
The defense has a new look with Dave Elson taking over as coordinator. His main goals are to get after the quarterback and force more turnovers. The Cards were close to getting six wins last season dropping four one-possession games. The offense will be efficient and it’s up to the defense to turn those close losses into wins.
2017 Ball State Cardinals Schedule
Week 1: Ball State at Illinois, Saturday, September 2
Week 2: Ball State vs. Alabama-Birmingham, Saturday, September 9
Week 3: Ball State vs. Tennessee Tech, Saturday, September 16
Week 4: Ball State at Western Kentucky, Saturday, September 23
Week 5: Ball State at Western Michigan, Saturday, September 30
Week 6: Ball State at Akron, Saturday, October 7
Week 7: OFF
Week 8: Ball State vs. Central Michigan, Saturday, October 21
Week 9: Ball State vs. Toledo, Thursday, October 26
Week 10: Ball State at Eastern Michigan, Thursday, November 2
Week 11: Ball State at Northern Illinois, Thursday, November 9
Week 12: Ball State vs. Buffalo, Thursday, November 16
Week 13: Ball State vs. Miami (Ohio), Tuesday, November 21
List of Ball State Cardinals Seasons
| Year |
Record |
Bowl Game |
| 2016 |
4-8 |
|
| 2015 |
3-9 |
|
| 2014 |
5-7 |
|
| 2013 |
10-3 |
L – GoDaddy.com Bowl |
| 2012 |
9-4 |
L – Beef O’Brady’s Bowl |
| 2011 |
6-6 |
|
| 2010 |
4-8 |
|
| 2009 |
2-10 |
|
| 2008 |
12-2 |
L – GMAC Bowl |
| 2007 |
7-6 |
L – International Bowl |
| 2006 |
5-7 |
|
| 2005 |
4-7 |
|
| 2004 |
2-9 |
|
| 2003 |
4-8 |
|
| 2002 |
6-6 |
|
| 2001 |
5-6 |
|
| 2000 |
5-6 |
|
| 1999 |
0-11 |
|
| 1998 |
1-10 |
|
| 1997 |
5-6 |
|
| 1996 |
8-4 |
L – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1995 |
7-4 |
|
| 1994 |
5-5-1 |
|
| 1993 |
8-3-1 |
L – Las Vegas Bowl |
| 1992 |
5-6 |
|
| 1991 |
6-5 |
|
| 1990 |
7-4 |
|
| 1989 |
7-3-2 |
|
| 1988 |
8-3 |
|
| 1987 |
4-7 |
|
| 1986 |
6-5 |
|
| 1985 |
4-7 |
|
| 1984 |
3-8 |
|
| 1983 |
6-5 |
|
| 1982 |
5-6 |
|
| 1981 |
4-7 |
|
| 1980 |
6-5 |
|
| 1979 |
6-5 |
|
| 1978 |
10-1 |
|
| 1977 |
9-2 |
|
| 1976 |
8-3 |
|
| 1975 |
9-2 |
|
Ball State has fielded a football team since the mid-1920s, however the school didn’t reach major college classification until 1975 after several decades as a small college school. The Cardinals jumped right into the MAC in 1975 and enjoyed a successful first season going 9-2 overall with a third-place finish in the nine-team league. They’d capture their first of five MAC titles the following year while posting an overall record of 8-3.
The Cards went 10-1 in 1978, winning their second MAC title with a perfect 8-0 league slate, capping a four-year opening run at the major college level with a 36-8 overall record. BSU went the next nine seasons winning no more than six games, ending the run with an eight-win campaign in 1988. The following season saw the Cards win their third MAC title and represent the conference in the California Bowl, losing 27-6 to Fresno State.
Another MAC title and bowl appearance followed in 1993, but the Cards failed to get their first postseason victory, losing the Las Vegas Bowl. A return trip to the Las Vegas Bowl followed the team’s fifth and final MAC title in 1996, but once again the Cards came up short. It would be another decade until the Cards had a winning season, posting 7-6 ledger in 2007. That season was a prelude to the best year in BSU history. Under Brady Hoke in 2008, the Cards won 12 straight to start the season and entered the national rankings for the first time. The season ended with a loss to Buffalo in the MAC title game and a loss to Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl. The Cards are still searching for their first bowl win and they need to get their first.
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