Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ball State Cardinals Football Preview

Ball State vs. Iowa a Marquee matchup? No, but it is a very important game to Iowa. They have to treat this game just like it’s a key Big Ten matchup. It’s when they go into a game thinking it’s like practice when things start to go wrong and, it’s when the major upsets start happening see: Michigan vs. Appalachian state. But that’s worst case scenario based on the way Iowa has played these past three games.

There is no indication that Iowa should struggle against what one could call a pretty weak Mid- American Conference team. In fact these past two weeks Ball Sate has been trying to drop this game saying they don’t want to face two Big Ten foes in a row i.e.: Purdue and Iowa. Ball State athletic director Tom Collins had this to say: "It's one of those things where once you get the schedule set and see what the league has going, you can see if there's a chance to maneuver things around," he told The (Muncie) Star Press. "It's never easy to do.”

Now trying to wiggle out of this game it’s either and admission of fear, or they already know they are going to get beat in which case they might come into this game with a lack of confidence that will undoubtedly effect their quality of play which is why I have no problem declaring the Iowa Hawkeyes the winner. The only thing I’m not sure about is the final score. When the game gets started there are 5 key things you are going to have to watch for. Number one, being how well Stanzi can handle the pressure and make good throws in the pocket. As long as he doesn’t turn into the gunslinger he was last year, and can keep his interceptions under control, this should be no problem especially with three all Big Ten worthy wide receivers in Marvin Mcnutt, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and Allen Resiner. Each of who have at least 5 receptions for over 10 yards per reception.

The Number two thing you should watch for, is how Iowa’s head coach Kirk Ferrentz is going to use the rushing game and his split backs Jewel Hampton, who has rushed for 84 yards and 1 touchdown in one game, and, Adam Robinson who has 38 carries for 4 touchdowns with an average of 7 yards per carry to his advantage which should not be difficult considering Ball State

has allowed over 200 yards rushing over their past three games.

The third thing to watch for is how Iowa’s defense is going to respond to such a weak offence team with two young quarterbacks, one being a freshman, and the starter being a sophomore. Iowa being the 9th ranked defense in the country should have no problems. But sometimes when you play a weak team often it affects the defense.

Iowa needs to get in the mindset of this is a team that wants nothing more to embarrass them on national TV, and derail their National Championship season. If they can do that, I see Iowa having no problem holding Ball State scoreless.

The 5th and last thing you should watch for is how well Vandenberg can play and run this offence against this team, as he will get some snaps Saturday. He very well could be the next starter once Stanzi graduates. All this being said my prediction for the game is Iowa 27 Ball Sate 3.

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