Ball State

[BeerBaron]

Ranked 14 by the AP....17 by the BCS......undefeated.....good season, good story, right?

But lets say hypothetically that Utah and Boise State get knocked off while Ball State wins out. They've got one game left against what should be a tough Western Michigan team at 9-2. Winning that game coupled with some of the teams in front of them knocking eachother off should bump them up a few more spots, possibly even into the required top 12 for the automatic non-BCS birth.

And even if they don't jump that high, them winning out should keep them in the top 16 where they'd get an automatic birth if ahead of a conference champion (which could happen easily with the weak Big East and ACC champs.)

Now, my question is.....how badly would they get smoked by any BCS school in a BCS game.

Ball State is a nice little team, led by a good QB.......but compared to them, Hawaii of last year looked like a juggernaut. Boise State from a few years back and Utah of Alex Smith both looked godly.

Normally, I am all for the small school teams getting shots against the bigger competition in the big games, but this time around, I think it would be bad for college football.

Lets say they play......i dont know....Florida or USC or even Penn State or Ohio State. Any of those teams would probably be favored by at least 3 TDs.

We saw last year with Hawaii that it takes more than a stud QB. Georgia toasted their weak o-line and crushed their weak defense.

I look at Ball State and Nate Davis is the only player who I think would even make the squad at USC or Florida.

Now, I think one of Utah or Boise State is going to get that spot. Heck, even BYU and TCU, with one and two losses respectively, could get a BCS spot if Boise and Utah were to lose, but it worries me how close Ball State is....

So what do you guys think?

[Shane P. Hallam]

They would play the winner of the ACC if they do make a BCS Bowl, so they'd get smoked, but not as bad.

[BeerBaron]

They would play the winner of the ACC if they do make a BCS Bowl, so they'd get smoked, but not as bad.

Aye, that would be a little less bad.

So would Utah or Boise State also probably play the winner of the ACC? Cause I could see them even being favored over some of the teams in the running for the ACC championship.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Aye, that would be a little less bad.

So would Utah or Boise State also probably play the winner of the ACC? Cause I could see them even being favored over some of the teams in the running for the ACC championship.

Yup. The Orange Bowl will have the last pick. I imagine Fiesta and Sugar will pass on the Non-BCS team for Ohio State/USC and Big East winner respectively.

[BeerBaron]

Yup. The Orange Bowl will have the last pick. I imagine Fiesta and Sugar will pass on the Non-BCS team for Ohio State/USC and Big East winner respectively.

Ohio State or USC will probably kill the Big East winner.....

[Shane P. Hallam]

Ah nah, you misread (more likely my message was crappy). Fiesta would pick OSU/USC to play the #2 in the Big 12 (assuming #1 goes to NC), and Big East would go to Sugar against #2 SEC (assuming #1 goes to NC)

[CashmoneyDrew]

Ohio State or USC will kill the Big East winner.....

Yeah, fixed it for you.

[BeerBaron]

Ah nah, you misread (more likely my message was crappy). Fiesta would pick OSU/USC to play the #2 in the Big 12 (assuming #1 goes to NC), and Big East would go to Sugar against #2 SEC (assuming #1 goes to NC)

Ah, i got ya. I thought you were saying that the Fiesta and Sugar bowl would prefer one of those two teams against the big east winner....

But thats good I think. My worries are quelled a little bit knowing the non-BCS at large would probably face the ACC winner. A 56-7 pummeling from a USC or Florida had me worried, lol

[Shane P. Hallam]

It will likely make for a highly low-rated game (see Oklahoma/Boise,) but they likely won't get crushed.

[illmatic74]

With Nate Davis they will always have chance.

[SuperMcgee]

They'll lose to Buffalo ;)

They passed what is probably their toughest test @Central, but the two teams they still have to face are the remaining best in the conference and are about just as good as the Chips this year. They're not as good as Boise or Utah and I can't see them in a BCS game, anyway.

[BeerBaron]

With Nate Davis they will always have chance.

I think Hawaii was a better team and I think Colt Brennan was a better college QB, and the weakness of their o-line against Georgia's strong defense made it so Brennan had no chance.

I think the same thing would happen to Davis against a far superior team. The strength/size/speed of the o-line and d-line of schools like Florida, USC, Oklahoma, etc would just prove to be overpowering.

[etk]

I think they're better than Hawaii was last year, and about the same level of Boise State from a few years back. I think they're a Dante Love away from winning a BCS game, unfortunately. We'll see. WMU is a good team.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Looks like I am incorrect. They would take on Big Ten #7 if not in BCS, so Wisconsin or a random team from any conference.

[Im_a_Romosexual]

I think they're better than Hawaii was last year, and about the same level of Boise State from a few years back. I think they're a Dante Love away from winning a BCS game, unfortunately. We'll see. WMU is a good team.

I endorse this statement.

They're good without him, but if he was healthy they would be unstoppable

[BuddyCHRIST]

Maybe unstoppable against the comp they play, even with Dante Love they cant compete with legit BCS teams.

[BeerBaron]

I think they're better than Hawaii was last year, and about the same level of Boise State from a few years back. I think they're a Dante Love away from winning a BCS game, unfortunately. We'll see. WMU is a good team.

See, I don't think so. Each of those teams dominated (for the most part) the teams in their conferences while Ball State has squeaked by a few of em.

I personally think that Hawaii team was the best if they could somehow all play eachother, its just that they couldn't match the strength and speed up front on both sides of the ball that Georgia had. In terms of skill position players, I liked what Hawaii had but what good are then when your lines can't do anything?

Then I'd have Boise State, then Utah, and then Ball State.

Maybe Dante Love would make the difference, i don't know....but I've watched em the times they've been on ESPN and I see a good little team, but I don't think they could hold a candle to any school with a serious shot at the BCS games this year.

[etk]

See, I don't think so. Each of those teams dominated (for the most part) the teams in their conferences while Ball State has squeaked by a few of em.

I personally think that Hawaii team was the best if they could somehow all play eachother, its just that they couldn't match the strength and speed up front on both sides of the ball that Georgia had. In terms of skill position players, I liked what Hawaii had but what good are then when your lines can't do anything?

Then I'd have Boise State, then Utah, and then Ball State.

Maybe Dante Love would make the difference, i don't know....but I've watched em the times they've been on ESPN and I see a good little team, but I don't think they could hold a candle to any school with a serious shot at the BCS games this year.

lolwut?

You're entitled to your opinion that they're not that good (assuming you have indeed seen them play)....but saying they squeaked by their conference and haven't dominated their competition is completely false. I'm too lazy to calculate the averages, but their only close game so far has been a 7 point road win over a good CMU team. Their next closest game is 12 points over Navy, but Ball State has consistently dropped about 40 points and won by about 20 so far this year.

Speaking of squeaking by team's, last year's Hawaii squad beat LaTech by 1, SJSt by 7, FrSt by 7, Nevada by 2 and Washington by 7. The MAC is a lot stronger than the WAC imo and Hawaii's defense struggled all year against pretty mediocre teams.

Like you said, Hawaii had a weak offensive line and their entire defense was porous. Ball State appears to be a complete team and for that reason I think they can hang with some tough teams as opposed to getting blown out the park like Hawaii did.

That Boise State team that upset Oklahoma was comparable to Ball State this year, although I give the Cardinals an edge because Nate Davis is one of the tops in the country and Zabransky was completely overrated. Kellen Moore is doing a much better job leading his team with inferior talent to the Zabransky-led team.

If we're talking BCS....then it all depends. Florida or USC would make them look silly. Texas, Oklahoma and TT would be a tough stop for their defense, but they could hang with them offensively on the scoreboard and keep it close. Alabama and Penn State would be a different kind of matchup, and again I'd have them as about 10 point underdogs. I think they could easily beat a Big East or ACC team, however. The fact of the matter is that there are only a small number of defenses that could really shut down Ball State's offense. They are balanced and they execute.

[SuperMcgee]

Ball State hanging with Oklahoma and Texas? I don't think so.

[etk]

Ball State hanging with Oklahoma and Texas? I don't think so.

You don't think Ball State can score like Oklahoma State can? OKSt hung with Texas. Oklahoma is a different story. No team can match up to them if they play like they did against TT.

And when I say hang with, I mean keep the game within 2 scores for most of the night. It's really not that appalling.

[BeerBaron]

lolwut?

You're entitled to your opinion that they're not that good (assuming you have indeed seen them play)....but saying they squeaked by their conference and haven't dominated their competition is completely false. I'm too lazy to calculate the averages, but their only close game so far has been a 7 point road win over a good CMU team. Their next closest game is 12 points over Navy, but Ball State has consistently dropped about 40 points and won by about 20 so far this year.

Speaking of squeaking by team's, last year's Hawaii squad beat LaTech by 1, SJSt by 7, FrSt by 7, Nevada by 2 and Washington by 7. The MAC is a lot stronger than the WAC imo and Hawaii's defense struggled all year against pretty mediocre teams.

Like you said, Hawaii had a weak offensive line and their entire defense was porous. Ball State appears to be a complete team and for that reason I think they can hang with some tough teams as opposed to getting blown out the park like Hawaii did.

That Boise State team that upset Oklahoma was comparable to Ball State this year, although I give the Cardinals an edge because Nate Davis is one of the tops in the country and Zabransky was completely overrated. Kellen Moore is doing a much better job leading his team with inferior talent to the Zabransky-led team.

If we're talking BCS....then it all depends. Florida or USC would make them look silly. Texas, Oklahoma and TT would be a tough stop for their defense, but they could hang with them offensively on the scoreboard and keep it close. Alabama and Penn State would be a different kind of matchup, and again I'd have them as about 10 point underdogs. I think they could easily beat a Big East or ACC team, however. The fact of the matter is that there are only a small number of defenses that could really shut down Ball State's offense. They are balanced and they execute.

I think where they would struggle is indeed their defense and their offensive line. Central Michigan was just the most recent game I had seen of theirs, so I'll be using some examples from there.

From what I saw, their defense was good, for MAC standards.....As was their offensive line. Good for MAC standards, they held their own and looked good against a similarly talented team in Central Michigan. But quite honestly, if you were to stick their defense out there against any of the teams you mentioned, USC or Florida especially where your 3rd and 4th string players are still high school all americans, they'd be killed. I think they'd face the face the same syndrome Hawaii had last year where they just don't have the strength or depth up front to compete. Ball State's o-line wouldn't be able to handle the pressure or open up running lanes against an elite BCS team and their defensive front wouldn't be able to hold strong against the o-line of an elite BCS school.

Now, is Ball State's defense actually better than Hawaii's of last year? I think so...but with the way the Hawaii offense was, they just needed to play a lot of prevent and hold the scores of the opponent to just under what Brennan and that pretty good crop of receivers they had could put up. I think if they were to play, Brennan and the Hawaii offense would spread out the Ball State defense while he hangs 40+ points and 500 yards. I think Davis and the offense could put up quite a few themselves but I think Hawaii would win in the end.

And, even though its irrelevant now with Utah winning, I still think Ball State still would have been thoroughly crushed just as Hawaii was in a BCS game.

[etk]

I agree with most of what you said, however I disagree about Ball State's offense. Unlike Hawaii's, they have a balanced attack. They run the ball a lot, they throw bubble screens and other short passes, and they air it out. Plus Nate Davis is athletic and can be a factor on the ground himself if need be. Hawaii made no attempt to disguise their identity....they came out and slung it every week with the same patterns. As we saw with TT this week against OU, you can gameplan against an offense like that and outsmart them. Georgia was able to put their undersized DEs on an extreme edge rush and blow by Hawaii's line. Brennan had no chance whatsoever and they took away the strength of Hawaii's team (QB and receivers). Stopping Ball State is not that easy. You can beat them physically but they will still be able to counter-attack on the fly.

[dabears10]

Yeah, BeerBaron I think you underrate MiQuale Lewis. He is as much a reason for Ball State's success as Nate Davis.

[Menardo75]

Boise State and Utah > Ball State. It is great that they have gone undefeated, they have played a very soft schedule though.

[ljk2171]

Boise State and Utah > Ball State. It is great that they have gone undefeated, they have played a very soft schedule though.

Shame we'll never know, college football is a mess. In my opinion 1-Utah, 2-Ball State, 3-Boise State. Although I think they are all pretty much of the same caliber and could hang with the ACC or Big East champion.

[Menardo75]

Shame we'll never know, college football is a mess. In my opinion 1-Utah, 2-Ball State, 3-Boise State. Although I think they are all pretty much of the same caliber and could hang with the ACC or Big East champion.

I just give them the nob because Ball State has not even played a ranked team this year. Not saying they do not deserve to be where they are undefeated is undefeated. I would really like to see Ball State get a team around their rankign in a bowl game so we can see how good they are.

[GB12]

Western Michigan will beat them tonight.

[djp]

Ball State is not good.

Davis is good and a potential first round pick but he's the whole team with Love out.

[BeerBaron]

Western Michigan will beat them tonight.

wr-wr-wr...

wr-wr-wr-wr...

incorrect.

I like what one of the announcers was saying about having a bowl game feature Boise St and Ball St. I think it'd be a real interesting.

[GB12]

wr-wr-wr...

wr-wr-wr-wr...

incorrect.

I like what one of the announcers was saying about having a bowl game feature Boise St and Ball St. I think it'd be a real interesting.
I was using the ESPN analyst strategy on that one. Pick the unlikely upset so you can brag about it if your right, and if you're wrong it was supposed to happen anyway.

[Smokey Joe]

we gotta have a Ball State vs. Boise St. bowl game, even if it isn't a BCS bowl. Make up a new bowl, the MAC vs. the WAC!

[Shane P. Hallam]

That'd be a great game, and it would fail in ratings.

[etk]

Ball State is not good.

Davis is good and a potential first round pick but he's the whole team with Love out.

Miquale Lewis is pretty darn good, and there ain't nothin' wrong with having a QB-RB tandem as "your whole team".

I was using the ESPN analyst strategy on that one. Pick the unlikely upset so you can brag about it if your right, and if you're wrong it was supposed to happen anyway.

Brilliant. Who's gonna remember you were wrong....but if you were right.....


Again....this team is ridiculous. You can say they haven't played anyone really good, but they've absolutely demolished everyone but CMU, who's pretty good. It's hard to ask for more from their season, aside from a few shutouts. Utah's more deserving of a BCS bid, but Ball State's a better team.

[Smokey Joe]

If Ball St. wins the MAC Championship game, I firmly believe they should jump past both Utah and Boise St. The MAC is a very underrated conference, and I'd take Ball St. over both Utah and Boise St.

[etk]

The MAC is underrated....but no. Utah has run the table against a pretty solid schedule. They earned it, even though they haven't been that impressive.

[dabears10]

If Ball St. wins the MAC Championship game, I firmly believe they should jump past both Utah and Boise St. The MAC is a very underrated conference, and I'd take Ball St. over both Utah and Boise St.

I think it's Utah then Ball St. then Boise St. Utah has just beat some real good teams. Ball St. has not had the chance to compete against the same competition.

[BeerBaron]

That'd be a great game, and it would fail in ratings.

I'd still be up for it.....

[kwilk103]

2 weeks ago on espn, they showed utah, boise, and ball states strength of schedule

utahs was like 65th, boise 88th, and ball st 111th

[SuperMcgee]

Can not wait for December 5. Willy can get the upset and the championship in his last MAC game!
Buffalo is no better a team than Central or Western, but it'll be a game featuring 2 of the top 3 QB in the conference, as well as Lewis, Starks, Hill, and Roosevelt. Roosevelt and Love in the same game would've been a lot of fun. Starks and Lewis both average upwards of 125 yards per game.

we gotta have a Ball State vs. Boise St. bowl game, even if it isn't a BCS bowl. Make up a new bowl, the MAC vs. the WAC!

I would love to see the best of the MAC and WAC go at it. Ball State vs. Boise State would be fantastic.

[TimD]

they really should have abowl like that already. except play it near the end of the bowl games. make it a big deal

[ljk2171]

I just give them the nob because Ball State has not even played a ranked team this year. Not saying they do not deserve to be where they are undefeated is undefeated. I would really like to see Ball State get a team around their rankign in a bowl game so we can see how good they are.

I completely agree that Boise State should be ranked above Ball State based on what has been done on the field. However, I think Ball State wins the game if they play.

[Pokeys]

Whitlocks article on Ball State is puke inducing, comparing Nate Davis to Brett Favre and saying that the coaches think hes better than Tom Brady. Give me a ******* break, he might turn out to be good but that **** is just too funny. I got nothing against Ball State but they haven't played anyone. Also talking about how Central Michigan and Western Michigan are top 40 teams okaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy there Jason.

[kwilk103]

Whitlocks article on Ball State is puke inducing, comparing Nate Davis to Brett Favre and saying that the coaches think hes better than Tom Brady. Give me a ******* break, he might turn out to be good but that **** is just too funny. I got nothing against Ball State but they haven't played anyone. Also talking about how Central Michigan and Western Michigan are top 40 teams okaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy there Jason.

also said he is better than any big 12 qb and is the best player in the country

[BeerBaron]

Whitlocks article on Ball State is puke inducing, comparing Nate Davis to Brett Favre and saying that the coaches think hes better than Tom Brady. Give me a ******* break, he might turn out to be good but that **** is just too funny. I got nothing against Ball State but they haven't played anyone. Also talking about how Central Michigan and Western Michigan are top 40 teams okaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy there Jason.

also said he is better than any big 12 qb and is the best player in the country

wow....I don't think anyone in their right mind is going to make those kind of claims.

[Bruce Banner]

FWIW, Magistro told me he is legit (a long time ago). Has the mental aspects down pat.

and I think we've all seen his arm and such.

[AkiliSmith]

Whitlocks article on Ball State is puke inducing, comparing Nate Davis to Brett Favre and saying that the coaches think hes better than Tom Brady. Give me a ******* break, he might turn out to be good but that **** is just too funny. I got nothing against Ball State but they haven't played anyone. Also talking about how Central Michigan and Western Michigan are top 40 teams okaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy there Jason.
Whitlock went to Ball State and is an idiot so yeah that explains it

[awfullyquiet]

This is fantastic.

Coming out of college, I think that Nate Davis is clearly better than Tom Brady. Nate Davis is a better QB than Colt Brennan. Ball State is better than Hawaii last year. Boise State is even a better team than Hawaii last year.

Whereas I don't believe Ball State could win in the NC, I do believe they could beat the ACC team. Why? The ACC is the epitome of mediocre. They have no actually good teams. They have no actually bad teams, and I believe they could be competitive against a Boston College team or a Georgia Tech team...

[awfullyquiet]

FWIW, Magistro told me he is legit (a long time ago). Has the mental aspects down pat.

and I think we've all seen his arm and such.

Mental Aspects are 70% of the pro game. Duh.

[Bruce Banner]

Mental Aspects are 70% of the pro game. Duh.

No argument here.



trying to follow you up is difficult, btw. the multitasking isn't. but, yeah.

[awfullyquiet]

No argument here.

duh. tell that to jamarcus russell.

[BeerBaron]

duh. tell that to jamarcus russell.

Al Davis fell in love with the big arm, lol

[illmatic74]

Al Davis fell in love with the big arm, lolAl Davis is not the only one who fell in love with his game. Mike Mayock said he had more potential than any QB since John Elway. Russel doesn't deserve all the blame for what is going on with the Raiders. Kwame Harris plays LT and they put one of the worst recieving cores I have ever seen on the field this year. Stop throwing him under the bus.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Al Davis is not the only one who fell in love with his game. Mike Mayock said he had more potential than any QB since John Elway. Russel doesn't deserve all the blame for what is going on with the Raiders. Kwame Harris plays LT and they put one of the worst recieving cores I have ever seen on the field this year. Stop throwing him under the bus.

And who's fault is the supporting cast being crap? lol

[illmatic74]

And who's fault is the supporting cast being crap? lolOf course Al Davis but don't give up on Russel yet.

[Menardo75]

we gotta have a Ball State vs. Boise St. bowl game, even if it isn't a BCS bowl. Make up a new bowl, the MAC vs. the WAC!

It's too bad niether team would get any respect no matter the outcome.

[Iamcanadian]

I think Hawaii was a better team and I think Colt Brennan was a better college QB, and the weakness of their o-line against Georgia's strong defense made it so Brennan had no chance.

I think the same thing would happen to Davis against a far superior team. The strength/size/speed of the o-line and d-line of schools like Florida, USC, Oklahoma, etc would just prove to be overpowering.

Actually Ball St. has 3 pro prospects on its OL. Not high picks but pretty solid players so I think they would fair better than Hawaii. Davis is also a higher ranked QB than Brennan as well.
Don't get me wrong, Ball St. hasn't played anybody to justify playing in a major Bowl but they will be ranked ahead of the Big East winner and the ACC champion.

[awfullyquiet]

Davis is also a higher ranked QB than Brennan as well.

Here's the thing. He's a better physical specimen than Brennan was.

[619]

Of course Al Davis but don't give up on Russel yet.

It's his first full season so ppl gotta take it easy on him. Not even the immortal Matt Ryan could survive behind this supporting cast and his learning curve is larger than most top picks at the position so it's safe to say he's got ways to go before fulfilling his entire promise. For now all we can ask from him is to limit the mistakes and as long as he follows through the big plays will eventually come in bunches.

[BrownsTown]

It's his first full season so ppl gotta take it easy on him. Not even the immortal Matt Ryan could survive behind this supporting cast and his learning curve is larger than most top picks at the position so it's safe to say he's got ways to go before fulfilling his entire promise. For now all we can ask from him is to limit the mistakes and as long as he follows through the big plays will eventually come in bunches.

Matt Ryan is playing behind the team that picked 3rd last year. What a supporting cast.

The Falcons were worse than the Raiders last year.

[619]

Matt Ryan is playing behind the team that picked 3rd last year. What a supporting cast.

The Falcons were worse than the Raiders last year.

Do me a favor and never compare the two supporting casts. The difference is Atlanta made HUGE strides in the offseason to get them to where they currently are and the Raiders, well, all our offseason acquisitions especially on offense have busted or resulted to their usual mediocreness.

This Falcons team at the moment is not the same 4-12 Falcons team of last year. Please get that straight. I don't think I need to go over all their acquisitions it's quite self - explanatory. Matt Ryan in the same position last season would have been no better than Jamarcus right now.

[BeerBaron]

Here's the thing. He's a better physical specimen than Brennan was.

True that. Brennan was dominant last year against everyone but Georgia, and even then I believe it was simply because he had no time to throw because his o-line didn't even come close in terms of talent.

Davis is a great talent, good pro potential, good tools, but for what they were asked to do in college, I think Brennan was the better college QB.

[Zyro_1014]

Matt Ryan is playing behind the team that picked 3rd last year. What a supporting cast.

The Falcons were worse than the Raiders last year.

yeah you can not compare one franchise in sports to the Oakland Raiders.

Sure Atlanta's record said that they were worst but to be honest, the Raiders are worst in many different ways....

[awfullyquiet]

True that. Brennan was dominant last year against everyone but Georgia, and even then I believe it was simply because he had no time to throw because his o-line didn't even come close in terms of talent.

Davis is a great talent, good pro potential, good tools, but for what they were asked to do in college, I think Brennan was the better college QB.

Oh yeah. The flaws are readily apparent in the physical nature of colt brennan, his mechanics, his physiological stats... Davis has them in spades. Both play in weaker conferences...

But you know who I'm surprised hasn't been brought up about him?

He's Joe Flacco with better competition.

[etk]

Mental Aspects are 70% of the pro game. Duh.

"90% of the game is 1/2 mental"

-John Madden-


don't ask.

[BeerBaron]

http://www.collegefootballtalk.com/2008/12/04/ball-state-wont-play-boise-state/

Well.....no Ball State vs. Boise State.

Boise tried to make it happen by inviting both teams to the Humanitarian Bowl which is played in Boise's home stadium on the blue field.

Ball State didn't like that and turned it down. Now they'll likely play a weak NC St. tam in the motor city bowl.

Thats sucky.....I wanted to see it.

[Menardo75]

http://www.collegefootballtalk.com/2008/12/04/ball-state-wont-play-boise-state/

Well.....no Ball State vs. Boise State.

Boise tried to make it happen by inviting both teams to the Humanitarian Bowl which is played in Boise's home stadium on the blue field.

Ball State didn't like that and turned it down. Now they'll likely play a weak NC St. tam in the motor city bowl.

Thats sucky.....I wanted to see it.

Gotta love the respect they are getting. Two undefeated teams in one of the lowest teir bowl games. Make them play in the Liberty Bowl atleast. The Humanitarian bowl is a slap in the face to both of them.

[BeerBaron]

So does anyone want to doubt that Ball State would have been crushed by a USC or pretty much any BCS team?

[diabsoule]

Of course Al Davis but don't give up on Russel yet.

Uh, yeah, you should give up on Russell. He was a bust coming into the league.

[MetSox17]

I wanna see what Jason Whitlock writes about now

[619]

Uh, yeah, you should give up on Russell. He was a bust coming into the league.

I wanna put the blame on coaching here but he's been rather frustrating nonetheless. Not coming along as hoped by now with inconsistency in his throwing mechanics and footwork among the most visible issues.

[giantsfan]

I wanna see what Jason Whitlock writes about now

how awesome UB is?

[BrownsTown]

how awesome UB is?

To be fair, this was an absolutely amazing turnaround for Buffalo.

[BeerBaron]

To be fair, this was an absolutely amazing turnaround for Buffalo.

It was. Turner Gill gave them their school's equivalent of a national title right there. If he wasn't already a hot name in coaching circles, he will be now.

[Shane P. Hallam]

What Bowl does Ball State go to now?

[Prowler]

hopefully a crappier one where we can win and salvage the season

and yes this is karma for not accepting the humanitarian bowl even though none of their fans would have been able to make the drive across the entire country to watch it.

[Prowler]

and last i saw today they were projected to motor city bowl vs san jose state on dec 26th.

and great news, after the game, "I will come back," Davis said. "There's no doubt about. It's been the plan all along."

so ball state should still be good next year.

[Shane P. Hallam]

I may be COMPLETELY wrong, but does the winner go to Motor City and 2nd to International? Could Pitt go to International as well? I'd like to see a Pitt/Ball State match-up!

[SuperMcgee]

Buffalo already accepted an invitation to the International Bowl

[Shane P. Hallam]

Buffalo already accepted an invitation to the International Bowl

Ah alright, thanks McGee.

[diabsoule]

What Bowl does Ball State go to now?

Probably the GMAC Bowl or something along those lines.

[giantsfan]

To be fair, this was an absolutely amazing turnaround for Buffalo.

psh, it was an eventuality, there's a reason bulls no longer being pathetically bad coincides with my time on campus. It's only logical.

[Hokie's#1]

Ball State's center lost it for them. Congratulations to Buffalo and Turner Gill though.