With championship-game hopes in tow, the Ball State footballteam becomes the road warrior for three weeks, beginning Saturdayat Northern Illinois.
The Cardinals (4-4, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) are tied forsecond place in the West Division with NIU and Toledo, who BallState blew out 38-14 in its latest game.
All three rank a game behind Bowling Green, who visits Muncie onNov. 22.
First, the Cardinals must worry about the 21st-ranked Huskies(7-1), who lost at Bowling Green, 34-18, after they threatened tocrash the BCS party. Despite that crushing blow, NIU still hasplenty to play for.
"We're still in the conference race," Huskies coach Joe Novaksaid. "We're a little behind the eight ball, and we don't controlour own destiny, but it's not over yet."
Ball State head coach Brady Hoke said he knows it will take aToledo-like effort to topple Novak's squad.
"They've had some injuries hurt them defensively," Hoke said,"and you never like to see that, but they're 7-1 for a reason.They're pretty daggone good. (They play) the same aggressive-styledefense as Miami."
Northern's rushing attack has produced a mediocre 131 rushingyards per game, but nearly all of that comes from All-Americancandidate Michael Turner. The senior tailback is fourth in thenation with 1,016 yards and 4,409 in his career.
Ball State held Toledo tailbacks to 53 yards, but Turner, whoput up 130 yards in Muncie a year ago, presents a greaterchallenge.
"He's a good as anybody we've played," Hoke said. "He's biggerthan (Boston College's Derrick) Knight, same wiggle, same power.This is the first time I've seen him. He's everything they say heis."
With Turner garnering more attention this year, NIU has beenforced to get more out of its passing attack with junior Josh Haldi(1,732 yards, 16 TDs, 5 interceptions) at quarterback.
"Certainly everybody's been focused on Mike; I would be too,"Novak said. "Our passing game has been good at times. I wouldn'tsay it's been great. It's been a little erratic. We didn't throw aswell Saturday as we needed to win. Our offensive line is young.We're not the most-mature group up front, and I think there's timeit shows."
The Huskies are yielding 238 passing yards per game, althoughthat number was greatly inflated when BG's Josh Harris torched themfor 438 yards. They are solid enough against the run (135 ypg).
Ball State's offense produced against the Rockets a season-best505 yards, including a career-high 307 yards from quarterback sHill.
"That was no fluke; they played a heck of a game," Novak said."That really got our attention.
"(Hill) sure played well last week. There's been questions abouthis decision making, but he sure made great ones on Saturday. Hebroke off a couple big (runs), and that makes us nervous."
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