EARLY BIRD 2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2007
BALL STATE CARDINALS
OFFENSE - 11
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Dan Dunford-WR
DEFENSE: Amara Koroma-NT, Jacob Jordan-DT, Cortlan Booker-DE, Mike Dorulla-MLB, Chris Allen-SS, Eddie Burk-FS
Quarterback / Receiver

Nate Davis finished 2007 as the most efficient passer in the MAC, a conference with a reputation for producing solid QBs. His receiver Dante Love racked up a whopping 87 receptions for 1229 yards. Expect the scoring fireworks in Muncie to be some of the nation's best.

Defensive Line

The Cards will have to prove they can stop opponents from running with the football. How well head coach Brady Hoke (a former DL coach at Michigan) retools this unit will go a long way in determining whether this team can reach a nine or ten win season.

WR Dante Love
 
LB Bryant Haines
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2008 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
 
BALL STATE 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Nate Davis-Jr Tanner Justice-Jr
HB Frank Edmonds-So MiQuale Lewis-Jr / Koreen Burch-So
WR Dante Love-Sr Joe Everett-So
WR Louis Johnson-Sr Daniel Ifft-So
TE Darius Hill-Sr Myles Trempe-So
TE Madaris Grant-Jr ..
OT Andre Ramsey-Sr John Purdy-Jr
OG Michael Switzer-So ..
C Dan Gerberry-Sr ..
OG Kyle Cornwell-Sr ..
OT Robert Brewster-Sr ..
K Jake Hogue-So Ian McGarvey-So
 
BALL STATE 2008 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Brandon Crawford-Jr Drew Duffin-Jr
NT Rene Perry-So Troy Davis-Jr
DT Gonzalo Barinaga-Sr ..
DE .. ..
SLB Kenny Meeks-Sr ..
MLB .. ..
WLB Bryant Haines-Sr ..
CB B.J. Hill-Sr Trey Buice-Sr
CB Trey Lewis-Sr ..
SS Alex Knipp-Jr ..
FS Marcus McClure-Sr ..
P Chris Miller-Sr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

The tradition continues at NationalChamps.net with the No. 25 selection in our Early Bird Preview being a long shot…a Dark Horse…a reach…one that most don’t see coming, except us. In the past we have gone out on a limb with teams such as Temple, TCU and (most recently) South Florida at this vaunted position. Some panned out (USF), some didn’t (Temple). Granted, this slot is where we chose a complete surprise team you normally won't find in another top 25 poll. The choice this season was a tough one, but we have come up with Ball State. Several MAC teams were in hot contention for this spot, including Bowling Green, Miami (OH), and 2007 league champion Central Michigan, with sensational QB Dan LeFevour. With all of their starters back on offense, the Cardinals high-powered offense - guided by promising QB Nate Davis - gets the honors. His 27 touchdown season (and only 6 INTS) grades out as the tops in passing efficiency in a conference known for its NFL-worthy QBs. They have an experienced group of receivers led by Dante Love, who proves to be un-coverable for more than one play in a row. Another successful part of the BSU offensive equation involves two-time All-American candidate TE Darius Hill. The rushing attack is sure to improve with an OL comprised of mostly returning seniors and a stable of talented young RBs, each of whom has already seen a significant amount of carries. Defense, though, will be the key against many of these high scoring MAC squads. There is a large core of returning veterans that earned ‘07 post-season All-MAC honors. And talk about carryover experience(s)…this team was gritty enough to go on the road and play Nebraska (lost 41-40), Indiana and Illinois, and put up respectable efforts against each…a few they could have won with a few breaks. They will get a chance to prove themselves once again on January 5 as they head to Canada to tackle Ray Rice and a powerful Rutgers rushing attack in the International Bowl. So, with only one BCS-aligned opponent then in 2008 (Indiana), a quality squad like this could go far. They will likely have to outscore a few opponents...a task this team is well equipped to accomplish and the reason we put these Cardinals on such a lofty perch.

 

BALL STATE
2008 SCHEDULE

9-6 NAVY
9-20 at Indiana
10-11 at Western Kentucky
Army @Chicago, IL
MAC Opponents TBA