The Ball State University football team might open its season tonight against the University of North Texas at Scheumann Stadium, but for several Cardinals and Mean Green fans, a back-and-forth battle of opposing team roster analysis has been brewing for almost a month now. Instead of focusing on how Ball State's rebuilt offensive line will perform against an improving North Texas defensive unit or how two redshirt freshman quarterbacks - the Cardinals' Kelly Page and the Mean Green's Riley Dodge - will both be making their first career starts tonight, many are choosing to analyze much further. Like how much Page looks like Dustin "Screech Powers" Diamond and how North Texas offensive lineman Jared Acton could be the son of famed comedian John Candy. The fans on these message board Web sites - namely BSUFans.com and GoMeanGreen.com - have displayed a great sense of humor in their "Separated at Birth" threads and definitely show what's right in the ever-growing, often nasty world of online collegiate fan bases. They even go as far as complimenting each other's comparisons publicly - something unheard of for many fans. I caught wind of these threads last season as the Ball State "Fighting Football Cardinals" were steam-rolling through an undefeated regular season. But I officially became hooked when BSUFans.com veteran poster CardFan12 compared University at Buffalo senior lineman Matt Bacoulis to famed boxer, mixed martial artist and all-around great American Eric "Butterbean" Esch before the MAC Championship game in December.
Wow. Pure genius. I'm not saying by any means that Ball State or North Texas fans invented this particular type of comparison, but there is no doubt in my mind that while the two schools' teams might not be national championship contenders this season, in this regard they can definitely match the wits of any school's fan base across the country. And take note, those of you in The Nest - these make for great student section posters as you compete with fellow students for on-air time on ESPNU. So, without further ado, here is my own analysis of a few of my favorite "Separated at Birth" comparisons from both Web sites as we head into another season of Ball State football - first, with the visitors from GoMeanGreen.com: Ball State sophomore running back Cory Sykes to rapper Snoop Dogg (via jperg2) - The only aspect that I really see in common is that both men have goatees. If Sykes wore the famous Snoop dreadlocks then it could be dead-on. Realistically, the only real comparison between the two is that Sykes plays football and Snoop is a former football player who coaches his son's team. Ball State senior center Jordan Applegate to former 'N Sync artist Lance Bass (via NT03) - Boom. Dead on. Applegate's photo showcasing his messy, spiked-up hair look is the icing on the cake. I wouldn't expect Jordan to be singing "The Star Spangled Banner" before any games, however. Ball State senior defensive end Brandon Crawford to former NBA rebounding champ Dennis "The Worm" Rodman (via 97and03) - This one is also scary good. I don't think Crawford will be dyeing his hair lime green and hot pink anytime soon as Rodman commonly did in his playing days, but the facial features of the former Marine and Rodman are dead on. And now, the hosts from BSUFans.com: North Texas junior quarterback Nathan Tune to actor/comedian Bill Hader (via BSU94) - This is the one that began it all between Ball State and North Texas posters, and it's solid. If you factor out Tune's pathetic attempt at a goatee, he could easily be confused for Hader, who is perhaps best known for playing Officer Slater in the 2007 film, "Superbad." North Texas sophomore offensive lineman Dan Holt to actor/comedian Brad Garrett (via CardFan12) - This is one of those that upon first glance you immediately think of. The look of Holt in his picture just screams out Robert Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond." North Texas freshman linebacker Jeremy Phillips to The Muppet Show's "Sam the Eagle" (via cardtalk) - this one takes the cake. Hands down. Standing ovation, cardtalk. And these are just a few of many knee-slapping comparisons. But my printed word doesn't do this work justice - whenever you get a free second, check them out on your own. Oh, by the way, my predicted score of tonight's game: Ball State 24, North Texas 10.
Write to Andrew at adwalker@bsu.edu
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