Tag: Ball State

College Football Rankings, Season Predictions: MAC Spring Version 2022

MAC college football rankings and predictions with realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis – the 2022 spring version.

MAC college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis – the 2022 spring version.

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It’s the MAC. It’s the conference where worst-to-first is the norm, with 2020 winless Northern Illinois winning the MAC championship in 2021, everyone can beat anyone else, and Toledo will end up somewhere in the middle of it all.

It’s about as settled as the league has been in a long time with the strength still in the West, Buffalo about to be better in the East, and with Akron and Bowling Green still questionable.

Again, though, it’s the MAC. The Zips or Falcons could end up in Detroit in January playing for the title.

The rankings are based on how good the teams should be and not the final projected records. Keeping in mind that this all could/might/will change when we make the final calls in August …

– 2022 College Football Schedules By Teams: All 131 Schools

Tennessee football to kick off 2022 season on a Thursday

Tennessee football will kick off the 2022 season on a Thursday.

The 2022 college football season will kick off Aug. 27 with Week 0.

Week 1 is set to kick off Sept. 1 and will conclude Sept. 5.

Tennessee is set to host Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Week 1. Tennessee announced Thursday its season opener will be played on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. EDT. SEC network will televise the matchup.

The contest will kick off Josh Heupel’s second season as Tennessee’s head coach.

The Vols finished 7-6 (4-4 SEC) during Heupel’s first season in 2021. The 2022 season will feature renovations to Neyland Stadium.

PHOTOS: Neyland Stadium renovations ahead of the 2022 football season

Tennessee football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for the 2022 season

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Tennessee State’s all-time records against FBS programs

Get to know the Irish’s 2023 home opener opponent a bit.

Notre Dame has announced that its 2023 home opener will be played against Tennessee State, a Historically Black College and University. On the surface, it’s a great opportunity for a lesser-known program to receive national exposure. However, it also will be the first time the Irish have played a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The reaction to this news within the fan base mostly has been lukewarm at best and outright negative at worst.

Notre Dame presently is the only Football Bowl Subdivision opponent the Tigers have scheduled for the future. That makes the decision either more of a headscratcher from the Irish’s point of view or it merely makes the Irish an outlier. Either way, the Tigers don’t get to play FBS schools very much, so you better believe they will be hyped for the opportunity. In the spirit of that, let’s take a look at how they have done against teams from college football’s top level:

First former Ohio State player drafted in the USFL 2.0

First former Ohio State player drafted in the USFL 2.0 #GoBucks #USFL

The United States Football League 2.0 is kicking off with the USFL Draft tonight and although the draft is painful to watch due to the rounds being broken down by position, it has still been enjoyable watching some recognizable names get another professional opportunity.

I for one was expecting Cardale Jones to make a surprise appearance during the first round which featured quarterbacks, but unfortunately, I was met with disappointment. Fear not though as a former Buckeye did make an appearance in the fourth round as Jonathan Newsome was selected with the tenth pick in the round.

Few fans may remember Newsome, but he was a Big 33 All-Star recruit out of Glenville High School in Cleveland and played sparingly in two seasons, but did earn one start before transferring to Ball State and absolutely dominating the MAC.

Newsome was actually drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and was solid before moving onto the CFL and finding stardom with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa Redblacks, and BC Lions.

Former Michigan State football DT Kyle King heading to Ball State

Former Michigan State DT Kyle King heading to Ball State

Another former Spartan has found a new home. On Monday, former Michigan State football defensive tackle Kyle King announced that he will be joining Ball State via the NCAA transfer portal.

King was a 3-star recruit back in the 2020 recruiting class, where he was ranked No. 953 in the country.

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A very merry Christmas parlay involving NBA, NFL and CFB action

Even on Christmas, there’s money to be made.

By now, your travel plans are finalized, gifts are under the tree, dinner is marinating and Christmas music – good or not – has been blaring for several days now. The only thing missing to make this holiday season complete is the perfect parlay for the Christmas Day slate of games.

The NBA has always been the main sports attraction on the Christmas holiday and that remains the case despite a wave of COVID-19 outbreaks that threatened to change the look of its five-game slate. And for the second year in a row, the NFL will also be featured on Christmas – this time with two games chock full o’playoff implications to satisfy your cravings.

Then, there’s some college action, which includes the Camellia Bowl, returning for its eighth inaugural game and second consecutive on Christmas Day. Typically played between teams from the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt, this year’s game features Georgia State against Ball State. There’s also a four-game slate of college hoops for the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, but I’ll leave those for another expert to pick.

So, without further ado, here’s the best combination of picks from the NBA, NFL and CFB schedule to create a very Merry Christmas parlay.

Northern Illinois kicker John Richardson loses his mind after game-winning field goal

John Richardson went wild after kicking the game-winning field goal for Northern Illinois

Not that’s Wednesday night MAC-tion.

The Ball State-Northern Illinois game came down to the foot of sophomore John Richardson.

After he kicked the game-winning 32-yard field goal as time expired to give the Huskies a 30-29 victory over the Cardinals, Richardson showed he could be given the nickname Crazy Legs.

Watch as Richardson runs amok going nowhere and everywhere all at once as he seems overwhelmed with the joy of the kick that boosted Northern Illinois to 7-3 over and 5-1 in the MAC.

The way officiating is going Richardson is fortunate he wasn’t called for dead ball excessive celebration … even though the game was over.

Richardson had himself a game, connecting on all three field-goal attempts and nailing his three PATs.

Ball State vs Western Michigan Prediction, Game Preview

Ball State vs Western Michigan prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 9

Ball State vs Western Michigan prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 9

Ball State vs Western Michigan How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 9
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Ball State (2-3), Western Michigan (4-1)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Ball State vs Western Michigan Game Preview

Why Ball State Will Win

The Ball State pass defense has been solid.

It’s partly because teams are running the ball on the Cardinal defensive front, but the yardage totals allowed through the air have decreased over each of the five games.

For all of the good things Western Michigan is doing, it’s averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, it’s struggling in the red zone, and the special teams are having a few issues. Ball State has to take whatever break it can get, and it’s been great in the return game and on the coverage teams.

There’s still too much talent and experience from last year’s MAC champion to be this mediocre, but …

– Week 6 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why Western Michigan Will Win

Western Michigan has been terrific.

It started the season with a loss against Michigan that looks a whole lot better now. The passing game has been outstanding, the ground attack is getting yards – even if there aren’t a slew of big dashes – the O is dominating the time of possession battle.

There aren’t turnovers from the efficient attack, the defense leads the MAC in yards allowed, and …

– Week 6 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Western Michigan is playing like the best team in the MAC.

It’s not making things easy with a few fights, but it’s on a nice four game winning streak that will continue with a strong performance against a Ball State team that’s way too inconsistent.

– Week 5 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Ball State vs Western Michigan Prediction, Line

Western Michigan 26, Ball State 13
Line: Western Michigan -12, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: When Facebook and Instagram are down
1: The Bradshaw Bunch

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– Fearless Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings

How all of Notre Dame’s 2021 opponents fared in week four

How have your expectations for 2021 changed after this weekend?

Notre Dame moved to 4-0 on the year behind a 31-0 run to close the game against Wisconsin on Saturday.  Next up for the Irish is the only unbeaten team remaining on their schedule, the Cincinnati Bearcats.

How did all of Notre Dame’s 2021 opponents fare this weekend?

Check it out below as a few bounced back while others suffered difficult setbacks.

Former Michigan State lineman Damon Kaylor transfers to Ball State

A former Spartan is on the move to Ball State.

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Damon Kaylor is heading home. The former Michigan State football lineman announced on Monday that he will be transferring to Ball State. Kaylor is a 6’6″, 315-pound lineman who was a 3-star recruit in the 2019 recruiting class.

Kaylor is just the next in a long exodus of former Mark Dantonio recruits to leave the program after Mel Tucker took the reins. Kaylor is from Huntington North High School, not too far from Muncie, Indiana, home of Ball State.

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