TSBB Morning Quarterback: Ball State vs. Western Kentucky

I've had a few games to digest this, and my opinion from Saturday night has not changed: We played poorly.

I spent most of the second half wondering what was wrong with this team. Yes, I know, we should be grateful where we are right now looking at where we were three years ago. And this is the last time I'll mention that because an opportunity like this doesn't come too often. Where's Marshall at now? Exactly.

Saturday's game against Western Kentucky was the first time I truly felt we missed Dante Love. I am not sure Ball State can run the table without him. Briggs Orsbon, Darius Hill and others are good pass catchers, but none not nearly as good. I also get the impression that Nate Davis doesn't quite trust any of the receivers since Nate is tucking the ball and running quite a bit.

The bye week couldn't come at a better time. Our offense — especially our passing offense — looks stagnant and hasn't shown any creativity. We did run one reverse, and the Cards ended up fumbling. Note: If B.J. Hill gets that handoff cleanly, that's six points for us, but alas. Instead of the great, good, bad and ugly, let's break down a few things here.

1. Run defense

Here we go again. Dexter Taylor was clearly the fastest guy on the field and we didn't have an answer for him. Thankfully, the Hilltoppers didn't run Wildcat too much so that was alright. But here's my question. Why didn't we put eight or nine guys in the box to stop them. It was clear from the beginnign that WKU cannot throw deep or intermediate deep for the life of them so why not leave everyone single coverage and shut down their run. I have enough faith in our DBs to take some chances. But then again, the Cardinals only gave up one touchdown, that's why I'm the armchair quarterback. But also, when BSU finally started blitzing, David Wolke was toast. However it took a half for us to do that. WKU had the first nine first downs of the game, but no points to show for it. Good times.

Dan LeFevour and Central Michigan are salivating at the mouth.

2. Louis Johnson

Hey Louis, next time you make a diamond with your hand when Nate throws you a perfect pass in the end zone, how about you catch it instead of letting it get through there.

3. Ian McGarvey

The missed field goal doesn't bother me. It was from the right hash at a pretty difficult angle. I remarked to my brother that we should've taken a five-yard delay of game penalty.

4. 7-0

There's the biggest positive I can find. This might've been the boringest game I've seen in awhile. But we're there, still undefeated, ranked No. 24/25. Survive and advance. That's all the Cards have to do, survive and advance.

5. MiQuale Lewis

Let's give him the ball more than the two times he touched the ball in the first half.

6. Cory Sykes

I think it's safe to say that the Frank Edmonds era is over in Muncie. This kid is good. Very fast and will be a great compliment as the year goes on. People keep saying why can't we make Sykes the new Love. First, he's a freshman...second, I have a feeling that he isn't much of a pass catcher. If he was, I think Stan Parrish would've went to that well by now.