WKU Football: WKU at Ball State Staff Predictions
The Toppers came so close last week to knocking off the Cardinals on the road in what would have been a turning-point win for several…
The Toppers came so close last week to knocking off the Cardinals on the road in what would have been a turning-point win for several reasons.
Now, the Toppers have the opportunity to knock off another Cardinals, still on the road, but to save the season instead of turn it around.
Or is that the same thing?
Either way, let’s get to the predictions.
Fletcher Keel, 1–2
I know I’m 1–2, which is the worst record on here, but let it be known I was the only one brave enough to predict a WKU victory, and I was a blocked field goal, a circus recovery and about five minutes away from being correct.
Regardless, that’s in the past, and Ball State is to bat this week. I talked a lot about this matchup earlier in the week on the Shiner Sitdown podcast, so I won’t say too much here, but I’m sticking with my pick that I made on the show.
I like the Tops to get their first win of the season, 28–20.
Ross Shircliffe, 1–1 (no prediction for Wisconsin)
WKU is still looking for their first notch in the victory column. While I did see several things that were encouraging last week in Louisville, I still think that we’ll look back later in the year and see that loss as a giant missed an opportunity for a statement win. Now, WKU is staring 0–4 in the face if they can’t go on the road and beat a Ball State program in very similar shape to WKU.
Last year WKU barely beat the Cardinals at home with their back up quarterback and running back playing in the place of injured starters Riley Neal and James Gilbert. WKU will not have the luxury of that injury luck this time around. They also won’t have an element of surprise with Davis Shanley this week as they now have plenty of film on the Tops first time starter after last week’s game.
I want to buy into last week’s solid performance, While I believe WKU’s defense is legit, I am still in wait and see mode when it comes to offensive consistency. This is a big prove-it game for Mike Sanford; if he comes out here and builds off of last week’s 428-yard performance and can put up more than 30 points then we’ve got some legitimate momentum and the fan base can start to buy back in.
Unfortunately, I’m still in prove it mode with this WKU team. Coming off an emotional game against a motivated team a let down is definitely possible. I think WKU will once again move the ball but fail to put up enough points on the board in a 24–18 loss. Let’s hope that I’m wrong.
Jared Rosdeutscher, 2–1
With two very close losses and a blowout against a Top 25 team, WKU has yet to taste victory this season. Last week against Louisville looked promising but yet they were unable to get the job done. I’m hoping that changes this week.
I personally think this game is a must-win for Sanford. WKU hasn’t gone 0–4 in non-conference play since 2011 and while Willie Taggart was able to turn things around in conference play that year, Sanford has his work cut out for him.
Ball State (1–3) has had some pretty close games again Power 5 opponents (Notre Dame and Indiana). Being at home against WKU will help them a lot but I think the Tops will finally get it done and steal a win in Muncie, 31–28.
Sam Gormley, 2–1
Has there been a more difficult game to predict all season? Ball State almost beat a Notre Dame team that could be overrated, but got destroyed by Indiana. On the other hand, WKU played Wisconsin well, should have beaten Louisville…and yeah, lost to Maine.
This game is going to center around Davis Shanley and his ability to make plays. Unlike the Brohm Squad, Sanford’s offense is more methodical and doesn’t take big shots often. Shanley needs to convert on those opportunities and not make mistakes. If he does that, I think the Tops can win this game.
During the Spring Game, I was told by someone inside the program that the defense would carry this team all season long. We are starting to see that come true. Last season against this Ball State team, the defense made a big play on the Joe Brown pick six that clinched the victory for the Tops. My eyes shift towards Devon Key. He knows he got screwed out of an interception a week ago and I hope he will take that and use it to motivate him to get one this week.
I really do think this is a chance for Mike Sanford to turn it around. If he can pull off a convincing victory, it would prove to be massive with the Moonshine Throwdown just a week away. Give me the Tops 24–21.
Matt McCay
Again, WKU football has me confused. They looked exquisite under the leadership of Davis Shanley and he has now (at least) won the backup job. However, they still lost and choked away a 14 point lead, regardless of Louisville’s ability to turn it on with Malik Cunningham. If Shanley goes on the road to Ball State and leads the Tops to a victory, we really could have a quarterback controversy on our hands once Drew Eckels is healthy enough to play.
Meanwhile, Ball State comes in having an FCS victory and two losses to Power Five teams. How much can we glean from their sample so far? Honestly, not a whole lot. We have two unknown quantities playing in Muncie on Saturday. However, looking at the stats (my go-to), I think Ball State sincerely struggles to move the ball through the air. Even in their game against Central Connecticut, they weren’t incredible through the air.
I am extremely impressed with Shanley. I think WKU may have found a running game and an offensive line. The defense is good, especially against the pass so far. I believe they are not going to take anything for granted, and I believe it is the time for WKU to get that elusive first win. WKU wins in a tight, defensive battle. WKU 19 — Ball State 16.