There is no doubt that BS is a force to be reckoned with, and I won’t rummage into all their strengths. Having said that I will look deeper in the home underdog. Here are some factors I found scouring the net.
1) POINTS THAT GAMES HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY.
Three points or less, with the Chippewas going 5-0 in those games this season has decided five of CMU’S 10 games. Since the start of the 2006 season, CMU is 12-6 in 18 appearances on the ESPN networks. CMU linebacker Nick Bellore leads the conference in tackles and is ninth nationally with 10.7 per game.
Of the 40 conference games played in 2008, 20 have been decided by seven points or less, with 15 of those 40 by four points or fewer in the final margin.
2) QUARTERBACKS.
BS brings the MAC leader in passing efficiency in quarterback Nate Davis. In a statistical fluke, three of the top quarterbacks in the MAC are featured in this game with Davis, CMU backup Brian Brunner and starter Dan LeFevour. So if LeFevour should somehow goes down, I have a more than capable Brunner as a replacement.
Although Ball State brings in the leading rusher in the conference in MiQuale Lewis, CMU’S LeFevour is such a good runner that it's difficult to contain him. He's the eighth-leading rusher in the MAC, topping 100 yards three times this season
3) CMU PASS DEFENSE.
Central Michigan ranks dead last in the MAC in pass defense, giving up 273.7 yards a game. Western Michigan riddled the Chippewas for 471 yards through the air, and Ohio passed for 365. The Cardinals would like to do the same, but there is one element that could be the great equalizer. The weather in Mt. Pleasant will not be so pleasant. It will be freezing cold with wind gusts.
4) Taking Care of the Football.
CMU’S eight turnovers are tied with Oklahoma for the fewest of any Bowl Subdivision team in the country. The Chippewas’ three fumbles lost are tied for the third fewest nationally.
5) Home Field Advantage.
Kelly/Shorts Stadium began hosting CMU football games in 1972. Since then, the Chippewas have posted a 137-54-4 record (.713 winning percentage) at home. CMU is 4-0 at home this season, and a win against Ball State would complete the Chippewas’ first unbeaten home slate since the 1998 Chippewas also were 5-0 at home.
5) Third Downs Conversions.
CMU is 40-of-65 on third down over its last four games, an efficiency rate of 61.5 percent. The Chippewas were 10-for-15 on third down against Western Michigan, 10-for-16 at Toledo, 11-for-19 at Indiana and 9-for-15 at Northern Illinois. During the season’s first six games, CMU was 36-for-88 (41.0 percent) on third down.
6) CMU’S Defensive Line.
CMU’S defensive linemen have accounted for 24 sacks in 2008, more than the team total for any other program in the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas lead the MAC and rank and rank 17th nationally with 27 sacks as a team.
So ought of that to say to you I will be on the Chip’s tonight +7.
GL to one and all!!