Ball State Football

This certainly appears to be the case. I have the feeling of the days when it was just Doug Zaleski, Morry Mannies, the Newslink Indiana people, the WCRD kids and me at the Monday press conferences are long gone.

I'm fielding IMs and phone calls and texts messages from friends of year's past about our team, people who normally weren't with me as one of the 50 or students cheering the team on during a game against Northern Iowa or something similar. But it's great that people are talking about this team, I cannot stress this enough.

Let's start with Jason Whitlock's column proclaiming that we'd go 12-0. I'll be honest in that Whitlock is a little biased considering he graduated and played here. But, at the very least, what he did was put it in people's — and the media's— minds that he made this supposedly random prognostication. So when they see that Nate Davis or Dante Love have a huge game or on national TV, they go: Hey, I remember that Fox Sports columnist guy Whitlock said these guys would go 12-0. I better pay attention.

One biter is fellow FOX Sports writer Pete Flutak. On his list of "Who's Hot", clocking in at No. 4 are the aforementioned Davis and Love.

Davis has been the real deal after two games completing 81 percent of his passes for 616 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. His top target, as expected, has been Dante Love, who caught nine passes for 171 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern and followed it up with a nine-catch, 165-yard, two-touchdown day against Navy. Love has also run for two touchdowns. The Cardinals kick off the MAC season with Akron next.

Granted, nothing earth-shattering there, but at least we're getting mentioned.

As mentioned in another post, there's Dante Love AP story today. And as also mentioned in another post, The LA Times' Chris Dufresne said we had the best chance of going 12-0 in the MAC. Think Whitlock's column had any help in him thinking that?

And finally, Tony Pauline of SI.com has this to say about Ball State tackle Robert Brewster:

Brewster is the best blocker for one of the most underrated offenses in college football. He's a large and powerful tackle who has surprised scouts this year with his ability to block on the move.

We're also tied for first in the nation with zero sacks allowed for teams that have played two games. Whoever would've thought that?

Tomorrow, we'll officially move into GAMEDAY! mode and break down Akron.

Any article about Ball State these days, by rule, has to mention a few things;

1). The new stadium looks fantastic

2). Nate Davis

3). Nate Davis

A few people got a glimpse of him two seasons ago, when Michigan thought they had a quick tune-up game before Ohio State. Michigan was never really in danger of losing, but the plucky Cardinals simply would not go away. (As it turned out, we found out how poorly Michigan was equipped to handle a spread offense against Appalachian State the next year).

As a Ball State senior, I was happy enough to keep it close, even if I am a diehard Michigan fan. (Side note: If school brass ever finds you rooting against your alma mater, they shouldn't grant you a degree. Ever). Nate Davis gave an outstanding performance as a spread offense QB against a very talented defense, and was even mentioned as a "dark horse candidate for Heisman in a few years." The endorsement was given by Lee Corso, and Davis still succeeded, which is a testament unto itself.

Last season, Ball State came within a dropped pass at the two yard line of beating Nebraska in Lincoln. Thus, the biggest upset in school history was foiled by a guy that  goes to school for free to catch footballs (with my tuition money) letting one hit him in the facemask.

After my demand that he turn in his textbooks, I was able to take comfort in the knowledge that once again, Nate Davis had brought the entire offense up to his tremendous level. Another outstanding effort. Another case of a big school talent on offense marred by a very average small school defense.

I also made the trip to Toronto to take in the splendor of the International Bowl against Rutgers. The Rogers "Centre" was at half capacity, and looked like a garage with a green floor. Davis looked good, but Rutgers was able to put pressure on him, and he quickly lost composure, relying on his quick feet instead of patience in a crumbling pocket. Rutgers won the turnover battle, the game, and the much-coveted something-or-other trophy brought to you by UPS or whatever.

Mid Major football rules!! I have to say, it's tough to lose your first bowl game, and the Rutgers fans could be pretty annoying until you reminded them they still had to live in New Jersey.

As usual with an option QB, he's got to work on his accuracy this year. He's got the arm strength and ability to make huge plays, but he doesn't face much defensive pressure up front from MAC defenses (which is good), but his O-line is pretty overmatched when up against the big boys (which is not so good).

He should put up some good numbers, and hopefully get a little well-earned time on SportsCenter. He reminds me of an Omar Jacobs, which is great news if you're a fan of a MAC team, but not so great when you don't remember if Omar is on an NFL roster or bagging groceries.

Until then, however, time to ride the Nate Davis show to another bowl game. See you in Mobile, AL for the GMAC Bowl.

That's the only thing that really needs to be said.  The Ball State junior quarterback, who by the way has an unbelievable cannon arm on NCAA Football 09, was named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List.

I don't think too many of us Cardinal faithful are surprised by this, but to paraphrase a Fatboy Slim song title, we've come a long way, baby.  (This was also the slogan for Virginia Slims cigarettes in the 1980s, but I digress).

When I was a freshman at Ball State in 1998, Brian Conn was our quarterback—Brian freakin' Conn.  There's a chance he might have been the worst Division I starting quarterback in the history of the NCAA.  He shared the spot with someone for awhile, and sadly enough I can't remember who.

Davis joins four teammates on watch lists.

Walter Camp Player of the Year Award: Nate Davis, QB

Butkus Award: Bryant Haines, LB

Mackey Award: Darius Hill, TE

Rotary Lombardi Award: Robert Brewster, OT, and Darius Hill, TE

Maxwell Award: Nate Davis, QB

Outland Trophy: Robert Brewster, OT

Ray Guy Award: Chris Miller, P

The most likely person to win is Miller, but we'll see.

Sorry for the nearly two-week disappearance.  As I've said before, this is partially why I was reluctant to start this in the first place, because I tend to be lazy.  So I will continue to make excuses for why I haven't posted anything.  But today's a new day, and I really want to try to make daily posts.  Hopefully, I actually do this.

Alright, on to the links!

The dude over at VanDelaySports.com, who is supposed to be the MAC authority, predicts Ball State to be the MAC champion, a 10-game winner, and peaking in the Top 25 by season's end. (Fantasy College Blitz)

Congratulations to Nate Davis, who is on the Maxwell Award Watch List. (Ball State Daily News)

Here's a story about the three athletes Ball State has already got verbals from for next year's recruiting class. (The Star Press)

As I mentioned before, Ball State is No. 41 on Sporting News' top 50, and here's the brief writeup. (Sporting News)

Here's ESPN's Ball State team preview for this fall. (ESPN.com)

The New York Times does a pretty thorough breakdown of the Mighty Card. (New York Times)

The Ball State women's basketball team will play Indiana in the Preseason NIT on Nov. 14 at Assembly Hall.

Pretty interesting story on Ian Nielsen, who will be a member of the baseball team next year. (South Bend Tribune)

Former men's basketball player Skip Mills will be playing in Poland's top division next year. (Indy Star)

Former men's volleyball player Robert Pulliza is now the head coach of Arkansas' women's volleyball team. (Baxter Bulletin)

Mitch Rodrigue, who was supposed to be on Ball State's staff this year, has now landed at the University of South Alabama. (Al.com)

Good story here about women's basketball coach Kelly Packard. (The Star Press)

If you were looking for a breakdown of responsibilities in the athletic communications department, here you go. (Ball State Daily News)