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2009 Ball State Cardinals NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 2, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Ball State Cardinals 2009 Predictions The Ball State Cardinals had an incredible run last season, as they started the season 12-0 and got as high as No.12 overall in the rankings, but there was no story book finish for the Cardinals, as they first fell to Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Championship game 24-42 and then were no match for Tulsa in the GMAC bowl game getting killed by the Golden Hurricane 45-13. The Cardinals also lost their head coach for the past six seasons, as Brady Hoke left the team to coach San Diego State. Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish took over the Cardinals and actually coached the team in their bowl game, but he has his work cut out for him, as the Cardinals lost a number of star players and have just 11 returning starters coming back in 2009.

On offense the Cardinals have just 4 starters back from 2008, and one of the biggest concerns is how well redshirt freshman Kelly Page will handle taking over the starting quarterback job from Nate Davis, who had a remarkable season with 3,591 yards and 26 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions. Page has the tools to become another star in this system, but there is no question there will be a drop off in the numbers Davis put up last season. Page will also have to deal with three of the top four receivers from last year no longer with the team, but does get back the leading receiver from 2008 in sophomore Briggs Orsbon, and one of the top tight ends in the MAC this year in senior Madaris Grant. Another concern facing Page and the Cardinals offense this season, is only one starter returns on the offensive line, in junior left guard Michael Switzer. Protecting Page on the outside will be redshirt freshman left tackle Cameron Lowry and junior right tackle Travis Arnold. The line will add even more youth in the middle, as red shirt freshman Steve Yoder will take over at right guard, while sophomore Kreg Hunter is expected to start at center. The best player the Cardinals have coming back on the offensive side of things is senior running back Miquale Lewis, who was outstanding last season running for 1,736 yards and 22 scores. My concern comes with how much of an effect will the completely revamped offensive line have on the production of Lewis out of the backfield. If Lewis can put up numbers similar to 2008, then the Cardinals could once again be near the top of the MAC West division. Bet the Cardinals this season at Sportsbook.com.

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The Cardinals should be just fine on the defensive side of things, as they bring back seven starters from last years team that held opposing teams to just 17 points a game. All four starters return up front on the defensive line including the defensive end duo of senior Brandon Crawford and junior Robert Eddins, who combined for 7 sacks last season. At tackle the Cardinals return senior Drew Duffin and junior Rene Perry, both of whom played very well last season. At linebacker the Cardinals have some pretty big holes to fill, as they return just one starter in junior Davyd Jones, who was pretty good with 2 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss last season, but he had some really good talent around him. Senior Sam Woodworth and freshman Travis Freeman will have to really come up big this season if the Cardinals want any hope at returning to their form of 2009. In the secondary the Cardinals bring back the teams two leading tacklers from 2008 in safeties Sean Baker and Alex Knipp. A couple of sophomores in Koreen Burch and Torieal Gibson are expected to take over at the two open corner positions, and with all the talent this conference has at quarterback, these two guys could end up being the most important new pieces to this unit in 2009. Bet the Mid-American Conference this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: Tie for 5th in MAC West. I could end up completely wrong with this prediction, but I just don’t think this team will be able to overcome all the losses on the offensive side of things. While I don’t think the season will be a complete wash, I see this team having a lot of trouble in the stacked West division, and could even end up going from 1st to last if Eastern Michigan improves like many believe they will.

Hoping to hit it big with your 2009 NCAA football picks, then make sure you stop back for our expert college football predictions and the latest NCAA football odds at Betfirms.

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