Ball State vs Rutgers

Ball State vs Rutgers

Watching a non-BCS bowl game after New Year’s Day is a little odd, but this match-up should be one that helps pass the time before the beginning of the NFL playoffs. Although Ball State has been overlooked on a national basis, this is a quality team and they’ve pushed Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska in 2007. Rutgers had a pretty good season, but you can bet they were shooting for something much better than the International Bowl.

The Breakdown: When the Scarlet Knights have the ball, get used to seeing a lot of Ray Rice. Rice has totaled seven consecutive games of 100 yards or more this season and the Cardinal defense ranks 99^th in the NCAA against the run. Look for Rice to see 30 carries in this contest and it will take a huge effort from this defense to slow the junior running back. Quarterback Mike Teel is a solid quarterback and receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt provide the big play in the passing game.

For the Cardinals to have any chance at winning this game, they should crowd the line of scrimmage and force the game into Teel’s hands. Teel struggled with a thumb injury earlier this season and has thrown 12 interceptions. If the Cardinals can contain Rice and force Teel to win, they will have a chance to steal a victory.

The Scarlet Knight defense ranks second in the NCAA against the pass and they will have their hands full against a tough Cardinal offense, led by quarterback Nate Davis. Davis threw 27 touchdowns to only six interceptions on the season and with a lack of a running presence, look for this offense to spread out the Scarlet Knight defense. Although Davis and his weapons want to spread out the Scarlet Knights, it will be a tough test to consistently against a defense that gets after the quarterback and is stingy in the secondary.

The Prediction: The Cardinals have plenty of motivation to win this game, but the Scarlet Knights just have too much on both sides of the ball. Davis and receiver Dante Love should hit on a few big plays in the passing game, but their defense will struggle in the second half and that is the difference in the game. Look for Rice to have well over 100 yards on the ground, possibly approaching 175 and the tough secondary will give Davis and his receivers their toughest test of the year. Scarlet Knights 34 Cardinals 24.

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