Remaining Ball State schedule
Oct. 26 at Akron
Nov. 6 vs. Central Michigan
Nov. 13 at Northern Illinois
Nov. 29 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Ball State is a double-digit favorite for the second consecutive week after beating Western Michigan University.
And just like last week, the team isn’t about to overlook the upcoming road game against the University of Akron, in which Ball State is a favorite by 11 points.
“We’re not taking Akron lightly,” junior wide receiver Willie Snead said. “We’re approaching this game like they haven’t lost a game. They’ve got good athletes, and we just have to make sure we execute.”
The Zips (2-6, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) came close to pulling off headline upsets earlier this season.
On Sept. 14, Akron held a late fourth quarter lead against then-No. 11 University of Michigan on the road. Michigan needed a late touchdown and a last-second incomplete pass on fourth down by Akron sophomore quarterback Kyle Pohl to escape with a 28-24 win.
On Oct. 12, Akron fought with defending MAC champion Northern Illinois University on the road before eventually losing 27-20.
“Their defensive line is their strength,” senior quarterback Keith Wenning said. “They have a lot of [junior college] guys and transfers. They’re talented across the board on defense.”
Akron is coming off its first MAC win under head coach Terry Bowden, beating Miami University 24-17. The Akron defense held Miami to 303 offensive yards and forced two turnovers.
But the team had three turnovers of its own, and owns a -3 turnover margin on the season.
“They’re undisciplined on times on tape,” Snead said. “I feel like that’s something we can use as an advantage.”
Ball State (7-1, 4-0 MAC) will use the same mind-set in preparing for a team with a sub-.500 record for the second straight week. The same sense of humbleness the team has used throughout the season has led to an unbeaten 4-0 start in MAC play and first place in the West Division.
But Wenning said even with its 2-6 overall record, Akron on film looks like it could be a .500 team.
“They could easily be a 6-2 team, not 2-6,” he said. “If you didn’t know their record, seeing them on film you’d think they weren’t 2-6.”
Following Akron on Saturday, Ball State gets two consecutive West Division opponents in Central Michigan University and No. 23 Northern Illinois. Some teams could fall into the trap games by overlooking the opponent, but Snead said the team doesn’t expect that to happen.
“It’s only a trap game if we let it [be one],” he said. “If we go in there and think this team is going to lay down because we have a better record, then we’re going to get beat. But no one’s thinking like that.”
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