College Football Predictions – Ball St Cardinals 2020 College Football Preview
July 2020
OCTOBER 2020 UPDATE – Schedule notes have been updated.
2020 Recap
Record – 5-7
ATS – 7-5
The Cardinals started strong and won four of their first seven games. They even pulled off three MAC wins in a row when they took down the Huskies, Eagles, and Rockets in consecutive weeks. A bowl game seemed well within their reach, but they were SNAKEBIT in November and lost three games by a combined EIGHT points.
They were better than their 5-7 mark advertised, but still found a way to book their sixth consecutive losing campaign. Are better things in store in 2020?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – TBD
MAC – TBD
Ball St Cardinals 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
FUN FACT. Ball St led the MAC in scoring offense (#18 FBS) and total offense (#18 FBS) and won a mere five games. They displayed excellent balance (219 yards rushing, 244 passing) and scored 30+ points on seven occasions. There’s reason to be excited heading into this year as boast one of the best QBs in the MAC in Drew Plitt (2,918, 24-7 TD to INT, 5 rushing TDs LY) and one of the premier RBs in the conference in Caleb Huntley who rumbled for over 1,200 yards LY (12 TD). Three of the four Cardinals who tallied 500+ receiving yards LY are back including #1 wideout Justin Hall who is just 37 (!) receptions away from becoming the school’s all-time leader in receptions. Three starters return up front including star RG Curtis Blackwell.
This is still one of the most potent offenses in the conference.
DEFENSE
The Cardinals continued their struggles on defense LY and allowed 30+ PPG for the fifth consecutive season. They did an average job vs the run (#6 MAC) but gave up plenty of yards in the THROW GAME (#11 MAC passing defense). Here’s the thing. Ball St was #1 (!) in the conference in pass efficiency defense and allowed a mere 11 TD passes. Nobody else in the conference allowed fewer than 18. They return three starters to a secondary that’s arguably the best in the MAC, and the CB tandem of Antonio Phillips (4 INT) and Amechi Uzodinma II (12 PD) is outstanding. They’re supported by senior safety Bryce Cosby. The LB corps appears solid and returns three starters including Jaylin Thomas who was #2 in tackles LY. The big question mark comes up front where it’s hard to see much potential in the pass rush. Justen Ramsey provides some beef at NT.
We forecast an improvement on defense but worry about the pass rush and ability to stop the run. The secondary looks nasty and will look to create havoc once again (15 INTs LY led MAC).
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be a problem area. They need to break in a new PK given the departure of Ryan Rimmler (6/9 40+ LY) and recall that Ball St was #129 in net punting a season ago despite a decent average from punter Nathan Snyder. They’ll also need to find new primary return men, including a replacement for KR Malik Dunner who took one to the HOUSE LY.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They draw Miami Ohio out of the MAC East which isn’t ideal. If they can win that game it’s possible we see them get off to a 3-0 start. Their final three games are the toughest (at Toledo, at Central Michigan, Western Michigan).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly spooky noted.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Cardinals are 0-7 all-time in sweet bowl game action and haven’t had a taste of the postseason since 2013.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This will be a fun team to watch. They definitely have the offense to compete in the tough MAC West but the ability to rush the passer and defend the run make us more than a bit concerned. The schedule doesn’t do them any favors but the Cardinals are good enough to beat any conference foe on any given day. Can they cobble together six wins? Feels like a coin toss. Nonetheless, we’ll be cheering for them!
#ChirpChirp
Want more Ball St football ?
WEBSITE
https://ballstatesports.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://overthepylon.boards.net/board/2/bsu-football
NEWS
http://www.ballstatedaily.com/section/sports
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2050/ball-state-cardinals
TWITTER
Hashtag – #WeFly, #ChirpChirp
Accounts to follow