Ball State will face Big Ten opponents on back-to-back days this weekend, visiting Northwestern on Friday and Iowa on Saturday.
It will take an upset to keep the Cardinals above .500, but they will be ready coming off a pair of victories.
Friday's game will be the first time Ball State (3-1) has played since defeating St. Louis 4-0 Sept. 5. Since then, the Cardinals have received votes in the coaches' poll, and junior midfielder Devanny Kuhn was named Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
After a string of disappointing seasons, Ball State has the chance to build off its early season success. They can equal last season's win total with a victory this weekend.