Week Three Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ball State Cardinals
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Written By T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Week Three Primer – Ball State Cardinals
What: Indiana Hoosiers (2-0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (1-1)
Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
When: Saturday, September 15, Noon EST
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on BTN. You can also listen to the legendary Don Fischer on the radio on any IU Radio Network station.
Gameday Bingo!- Bingo Cards will be released on social media later Friday. Remember to fill out your cards and send them in after the game.
What’s at Stake: Indiana is 2-0 after a pair of victories over teams that went to bowl games in 2017 (Florida International and Virginia). The Hoosiers are looking to improve to 3-0 and sweep the non-conference schedule. They are also looking to stop a disturbing trend in this underrated in-state rivalry. The Ball State Cardinals are 1-1 after falling in a competitive contest at Notre Dame but they have knocked off the Hoosiers in three of the past four matchups between the two programs. A victory for Indiana would get the Hoosiers halfway to bowl eligibility while a loss could prove to be a season-crippling defeat.
Things to Watch
1. Setting the Tone
The Ball State Cardinals are the underdogs in this contest but they will definitely enter Memorial Stadium believing they can beat the Hoosiers. A good number of the Ball State players believe they should have had Big Ten offers and they will be playing to prove as much. A win over the Hoosiers would be their fourth in five tries and it would be a feather in this current group’s cap. Indiana needs to come prepared for a battle and allowing the Cardinals to jump out to an early lead or hang around late in the game would certainly make a for a sticky situation for Indiana.
2. Following Up on Running Success
Stevie Scott and the offensive line put together a heck of a performance last week in terrible conditions against Virginia. The freshman and former Rutgers commit ran for 204 yards with a touchdown and yards per carry average of 6.6. Scott was only three yards shy of breaking Anthony Thompson’s freshman rushing record and Scott was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his efforts. After a solid performance in week one, it is fair to say that the Hoosiers have a potentially really good running back (both for the present and the future). However, Indiana could certainly use a complimentary back to step forward and help ease the load and it would be great to see IU follow up one dominant rushing performance with another.
3. Stopping Riley Neal
Ball State quarterback Riley Neal is a solid player that has lots of experience and he is very capable of leading the Cardinals to a victory on Saturday if he gets into a rhythm. He has a couple of reliable young receivers that and a solid offensive line that will try to give him time to throw. That being said, there are things for the IU defense to exploit. Neal is completing well under 60% of his passes but he is only averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. While he is not a statue, Neal is not near the running threat that Bryce Perkins presented last Saturday. If Indiana can apply pressure to Neal, in conjuction with limiting the BSU running game, the Hoosiers defense should have a nice day.
Other Game Day Links
Bob Dorris’s 2018 IUFB Video Blog Week 1 and Week 2
What the Sharps are Saying
Indiana is currently a 14.5-point favorite at home against the Ball State Cardinals. The Hoosiers are 0-2 ATS this year, but have found ways to win the game. ESPN’s FPI gives the Hoosiers a 83.1% chance at a win. S&P+ gives the Hoosiers a 86.7% chance of a win.