 |  |
| Ball State | @ WMU |
Where: Kalamazoo Michigan
Series: Western Michigan 19-16
Last 10 Meetings
| Date | WMU | Ball State |
| November 25, 2008 | 22 | 45 |
| October 20, 2007 | 23 | 27 |
| October 21, 2006 | 41 | 27 |
| October 8, 2005 | 57 | 60 |
| September 25, 2004 | 14 | 41 |
| November 8, 2003 | 28 | 20 |
| November 2, 2002 | 7 | 17 |
| November 24, 2001 | 31 | 35 |
| November 4, 2000 | 42 | 3 |
| October 23, 1999 | 28 | 0 |
For the second year in a row these two teams play in the last week of the regular season. Last years game clinched the Western Division and a perfect season for the Cardinals, this season this game may well again decide the Western Division. Western Michigan is seen as being one of the two teams to take the west because of the timing this game may rank up with the CMU / WMU contest for importance in the conference.
On the flip side while Ball State is not being picked to win the but this game could very well have Bowl implications for the Cardinals. The contest is the last of three against some of last years top teams in the west (NIU, Central Michigan, Western Michigan), for the MAC winning 8 games almost clinches an at large bowl bid. Should they falter at any point in the season (Temple, Toledo, Bowling Green) they are going to need one of this series to make that mark.
Last year Ball state had little trouble taking care of the Bronco's, forcing Tim Hiller into more interceptions than touchdown's (only happened to Hiller one time last year). They also forced Western Michigan into fifty yards of penalties and managed to stop seven out of thirteen first downs. Offensively Nate Davie moved the ball well and MiQuale Lewis racked up 120 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
The Cards are fortunate that their two most difficult, and important, divisional games come a the end of the season. Any early jitters or hick ups that Kelly Page and the new offensive line have to work out should be well taken care of so the Bronco's could be in for as much a game as they had last year.
This is going to be a nationally televised games (ESPN2), unfortunately its a week night game and its something of a drive from Muncie to Kalamazoo so unless you're a real diehard chances are your going to be watching this one on TV.
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