TALKING POINTS: GMAC Bowl, Ball State vs. Tulsa

Hello, fans of the furry robin-sized bird. I type to you as I watch the Texas-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl and I'm in shock it's 3-3 in the second quarter. Anyway, let's break down this game Phil Friend-style.

Talking Point #1
Can Tulsa's defense stop Nate Davis?

No. Trick question. Only Nate Davis can stop himself.

Last summer, Davis went on a two-week vacation to the Virgin Islands. It is now just called "The Islands."

Talking Point #2
Tulsa is a 3-point favorite

Boy, the gambling world really soured on Ball State after everything went down. The Cardinals opened as a 2.5 point favorite. I'm not much of a gambler, but I don't think games swing 5.5 points like that. If you like Ball State to win, hopefully you placed your bet as 3-point underdogs rather than 2.5 point favs.

Talking Point #3
Who's got the better QB? BSU's Nate Davis vs. Tulsa's David Johnson. Who's got the better running back? BSU's Miquale Lewis or Tulsa's Tarrion Adams.

For what it's worth, not too many teams had success passing the ball against us, if I recall correctly. It's been so long since a Ball State football game. So something has to give here. Tulsa is 7th nationally in passing yards (310.2). Oh, wait, Tulsa is also 7th nationally running the ball (254.9 per game) and 1st in total offense (565.1). That could present some problems. Ball State sits 22nd in passing offense (266.7), 24th in rushing offense (192.7) and 11th in total offense (459.3). In a completely unbiased opinion, I'm taking Nate Davis and his laser, rocket arm and the little giant MiQuale (no, YourQuale) Lewis.

Talking Point #4
How does Johnson fare against Ball State's opportunistic defense?

Our defense has played bend-but-don't-break all season long, while at the same time causing turnovers at the right time. Johnson does have a propensity to turn over the pigskin, throwing 18 interceptions. I will predict a pick-six (or TAINT, for the Bill Simmons readers) for the Cardinals.

Talking Point #5
Battle of the newly contracted coaches

With Stan Parrish being the new head coach and stuff, the Golden Hurricane coach also got a new contract. Todd Graham got a 10-year contract extension. Not too shabby. I guess that means Steve Kragthorpe isn't coming back, no?

Talking Point #6
The Brady Bunch minus Brady

How much will Ball State miss its fearless leader of the past six seasons, Brady Hoke? I think we might be in for a surprise...and not in a good way. Whether we want to admit it or not, he deserves all the credit in the world for making our football program the front porch of our university, whether we like it or not. Let's hope coach Parrish keeps it there.

Talking Point #7
Does it matter that BSU is the nation's least penalized team?

Probably not. Going into the Buffalo game the Cardinals were in the top five in turnover margin. Look where that got us. But it's fun to say we are the least penalized team. Discipline's got to count for something.

My Prediction for tomorrow:
Tulsa wins.

FALSE

I'm taking the alma mater. Ball State 35, Tulsa 31.

FIGHT TEAM FIGHT FOR BALL STATE.

And if you need some motivation, please just go back and read my soliloquy to the team before the Central Michigan game. Sure, some things need to be taken out. But the idea's the same.