After playing host to one Bowl Championship Series school, BallState travels to be the guest of another Saturday. The Cardinals(1-1) will tangle with No. 11 Pittsburgh (1-0) out of the Big Eastat 12:30 p.m. EST.
The Panthers are 20-0 all-time against Mid-American Conferenceschools, but head coach Walt Harris says every game can be tough,and is impressed with the Cardinals' experience on defense.
"Ball State had a good game against Missouri," Harris said."Missouri's a ranked football team and a well-respected program nowthat Gary Pinkel has taken over. I thought Ball State played themtough for awhile."
After suffering a separated shoulder against the Tigers,quarterback Andy Roesch is doubtful for the Pitt game. TalmadgeHill, who threw for 89 yards in relief duty, will get the call ifRoesch can't go. Hoke has said he feels comfortable with Hill, whohas 23 starts to his name, under center.
On the other side, Missouri quarterback Brad Smith punctured theBall State defense for more than 100 yards each running and passingin the first half. Pitt possesses a signal-caller with similardual-threat capability -- senior Rod Rutherford.
"He's a more accurate passer and I think he has better weapons(to work with)," Hoke said of Rutherford in comparison to Smith."Obviously, also, his ability to run the football is big. We've gotto learn from a week ago and we've got to be better."
In Saturday's 43-3 rout of Kent State, Rutherford threw for 288and a career-high four passes in just two quarters of action. Threeof those scores went to sophomore Larry Fitzgerald (six catches,123 yards against Kent), one of the nation's finest receivers. Hokedoes not think he'll have either cornerback -- Jesse Avant orQuentin Manley -- cover Fitzgerald exclusively.
"Jesse's been very consistent, and Quentin played one of hismost solid games in a lot of areas last week," Hoke said. "We'vegot to do a good job of giving them some help.
"We've got to do a good job of disguising some coverages andgetting in and out of different coverages. Obviously some pressureon the quarterback helps, but you've got to change things upenough."
Another thing Ball State has to change is the production fromits rushing attack, one that has produced just 132 yards in twogames.
Against Missouri, senior Travis Barclay moved right tackle toguard in place of redshirt freshman Mike Brown. Fellow redshirtfreshman Justin Schneider got the nod at tackle. Another shuffle isin the works for this week, as Jeff Ramsey likely won't play aftertwisting his ankle against Missouri.
"We're looking on a daily basis what is our best matchup andwhat to do," Hoke said. "It's just a matter of putting the rightbodies out there. We've got to do a better job up front as far ascreating some opportunities for our backs."
Barclay said he and his linemates will have to rise to theoccasion against Pittsburgh's defensive line, led by All-Americacandidate Claude Harriott.
"We're coached well; we know what we need to do," Barclay said."We just need to apply it better. We go back and watch film, andthere's just one or two things that didn't happen, that if theyhappened the play would have been more explosive. We just need tobe more consistent at doing things the correct way."
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