Ball State finally gets challenged

[St. Andrew]

Ball State hasn't faced good competition since Navy, and N. Illinois's defense is much tougher than Navy's.

In Week 1, NIU QB Chandler Harnish threw for 328 yards and 2 TDs against Minnesota! He's the starter tonight and he will be able to throw against the weak Ball St. pass defense.

If you look at these two teams's common opponents, they both played identically. I think these teams are evenly matched. The difference is that NIU has been tested against three quality teams (Minnesota, Western Mich, and Tennessee), while Ball State has faced only one.

None of NIU's three losses were by more than 4 points, and I expect another close game tonight. NIU has the MAC's third best rushing attack. Ball State will finally be challenged in the trenches.

NIU is 4-0 against the spread on the road.

NIU 20
Ball State 27

NIU +9.5

[St. Andrew]

Last year these teams played each other close (27-21), and Davis was the quarterback for Ball State. He is again tonight. But look at the difference in NIU's defense from last year to this year:

- This year they lead every statistical category in the MAC and are 9th in the nation overall.

- Last year they were 11th in the MAC in total defense and 97th in the country.

I predict Ball State to get surpised tonight.

[TheLock]

Yeah Im on NIU as well Saint. Its the only play in my opnion

Good luck almost game time

[St. Andrew]

Yeah Im on NIU as well Saint. Its the only play in my opnion

Good luck almost game time

Good luck Lock. I had to stop gambling but I still love to cap games when I have time. Hopefully you win some dough tonight.

[SexyMit]

I hope that wasn't a real challenge. They didn't look challenged all night.