Ball State Cardinals: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State football season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State football season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Keys To The Season
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Ball State Football Schedule
– Ball State Cardinals Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

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2020 Record: 7-1 overall, 5-1 in MAC
Head Coach: Mike Neu, 6th year, 22-34
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 46
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 92
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 83

Ball State Cardinals College Football Preview 2021: Offense

– Offense hasn’t been an issue at Ball State over the last few years, and it certainly won’t be a problem in 2021 with ten starters expected back. The Cardinals had a nice balance, didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes, and were solid at keeping the chains moving. However, to tweak and improve …

The offensive line has to be more consistent. The running game wasn’t anything special and there were was too many sacks and tackles for loss allowed. Four starters are back, there’s decent depth, and around all-star Curtis Blackwell at one tackle, there’s enough experience to be stronger.

The ground attack never really had new Atlanta Falcon Caleb Huntley – he led the team with 437 rushing yards and six scores in just three games – and now there’s a rotation around 240-pound junior Tye Evans and 208-pound senior Will Jones. Those two combined for over 600 yards with over four yards per carry and four scores.

Drew Plitt settled the quarterback situation, going the distance as the only Cardinal to throw a pass. the veteran hit 66% of his throws for 2,164 yards and 17 touchdowns with six picks. He’s got the guys back all of his top targets returning but third-leading receiver Antwan Davis.

First Team All-MAC performer Justin Hall is a smallish, shifty target who caught 49 passes for 665 yards and four scores, 6-3 Yo’Heinz Tyler led the team with eight touchdown grabs, and Jalen McGaughy is a rising big target who averaged over 34 yards on his five grabs with three scores.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
Top Players | Keys To The Season
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Ball State Football Schedule

NEXT: Ball State Cardinals College Football Preview 2021: Defense

Ball State Football Schedule 2021

Ball State Cardinals 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what MAC teams they miss.

Ball State Cardinals 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what MAC teams they miss.


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Ball State Football Schedule 2021

2021 MAC Football Schedule

Sept. 2 Western Illinois

Sept. 11 at Penn State

Sept. 18 at Wyoming

Sept. 25 Toledo

Oct. 2 Army

Oct. 9 at Western Michigan

Oct. 16 at Eastern Michigan

Oct. 23 Miami University

Oct. 30 OPEN DATE

Nov. 2 at Akron

Nov. 10 at Northern Illinois

Nov. 17 Central Michigan

Nov. 23 Buffalo

MAC Teams Missed From East: Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio

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College Football News Preview 2020: Ball State Cardinals

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State Cardinals season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State Cardinals season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Schedule Analysis
– Ball State Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017

2019 Record: 5-7 overall, 4-4 in MAC
Head Coach: Mike Neu, 5th year, 15-33
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 107
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 83
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 109

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Ball State Cardinals Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense couldn’t quite do enough in three brutally close losses, but Ball State was No. 1 in the MAC in offense and scoring, averaging 463 yards and 35 points per game. The running game was good, the passing game was better, and now there’s a lot to like with a ton of talent returning.


CFN in 60 Video: Indiana Preview
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The passing game was fantastic as Drew Plitt grew from a part of the puzzle to the bomber who threw for close to 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven picks. He can run a little bit – he ran for five scores – but he’s a passer. Sophomore John Paddock didn’t see too much time, but he’s used to being in the No. 2 role.

A few of the key receivers from last year are gone, but 5-9, 181-pound speedster Justin Hall is back after leading the way with 684 yards and six scores. He’s the smallish, quick target, and 6-3 junior Yo’Heinz Tyler is the big playmaker, averaging close to 19 yards per catch with five scores. Throw in the return of Antwan Davis for one more year, and the receivers are there to crank up the yards for Plitt.

Pass protection was a problem for the Cardinal offensive front, but the running game blasted out close to 220 yards per game. Three starters are back, but all-star Danny Pinter is gone at one tackle spot. 6-5, 304-pound Curtis Blackwell is the strongest blocker of the bunch at his right guard spot, and the left side is set, too.

5-10, 226-pound senior Caleb Huntley carried the ground game with 1,275 yards and 12 scores in a brilliant Second Team All-MAC season.

Receiver Justin Hall is the second-leading returning rusher with 726 yards and two scores, but Huntley needs more rest. That’s where 236-pound sophomore Tye Evans comes in to bring some thump, and junior Will Jones should help a bit.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Ball State Cardinals Defense 3 Things To Know