NCAA Football Preview - Ball State Cardinals

NCAA Football Betting Lines

08/21/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: Brady Hoke was hoping for a bigger improvement from his Cardinals when they began the 2006 season. Entering the year, Hoke was just 10-24 at Ball State and the pressure for success was starting to build. The Cardinals flew out of the gates with a solid 38-20 victory over Eastern Michigan. However, that would be the last time BSU would taste victory for quite some time. After the win over the Eagles, Ball State dropped four consecutive games, including a 29-24 setback to Division I-AA foe North Dakota State at Scheumann Stadium. The Cards were able to stop the slide with a 55-25 victory over the Buffalo Bulls, but the team should have saved some of that offensive explosion for its next matchup, which was an 18-7 loss to Central Michigan. After a 41-27 setback to Western Michigan, the Cardinals finally began to fly high, unfortunately it was far too late. Ball State closed out the season with wins in three of its final four games and the only loss was a 34-26 decision against Big Ten power Michigan. Despite finishing just 5-7, the Cardinals showed tremendous heart down the stretch, which will hopefully translate into success this coming year.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Cardinals were a one-trick pony all last season, averaging 259.3 ypg through the air while rushing for just 91.9 ypg. The numbers for the passing attack should be similar this year, especially with Nate Davis starting under center. Davis, who was a freshman last season, earn the job midway through the year and finished with 1,975 yards and 18 scores against eight interceptions. Just by being able to play a full season those numbers should improve, but also the receiving corps is very deep giving Davis plenty of options down field. The club's two top targets are Dante Love and Darius Hill. Love is a speedy wideout who grabbed 52 passes last year for 735 yards and four scores and as for Hill, he is an outstanding tight end who is difficult to cover, especially in the red zone. The 6-6 junior caught 42 balls in '06, 10 of which went for TDs. As mentioned earlier, the ground game was a complete disaster last season, but the Cardinals are hoping incoming freshman Frank Edmonds will be exactly what the team needs to put forth a strong rushing attack. MiQuale Lewis averaged 5.8 ypc a year ago, but at 5-6 and 184 pounds, he will be used more as a change-of-pace back.

DEFENSE: Last year was the first for the Cardinals in the 3-4 scheme and the result was a 113th finish nationally in total defense. Considering how bad the unit was, improvement this fall is crucial. Nose guard Amara Koroma is the only starter from the front line back. Senior Jacob Jordan will probably secure the DT spot, while sophomores Drew Duffin and Brandon Crawford should split time at the ends. Regardless, the line is thin in both experience and depth. The strength of the unit will be the linebacking corps which returns two starters in Cortlan Booker and Wendall Brown. Bryant Haines had 49 tackles last year and should improve that number now that he is tabbed a starter. The secondary returns starting corners in Trey Lewis and Trey Buice, but the safety positions will need seniors Chris Allen and Eddie Burk to jump in and make a splash.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The only positive about this unit is punter Chris Miller, who averaged a whopping 46.3 yards per punt in '06. The kicking game is currently in the hands, or should we say the feet, of Jake Hogue, however, do not be surprised if true freshman Ian McGarvey gives him a run for his money. The return game has been atrocious for a few years now, but the hope is sophomore David Wise can use his outstanding speed to improve that.

OUTLOOK: It has been a tough three years for Hoke, but things might be starting to come together, albeit at a very slow pace. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are improving. The team only has five home games this season, but that could be a good thing considering the squad is just 8-13 in Muncie since Hoke took over. Also twice during the season, Ball State will have three consecutive road games. Four of those games come against Nebraska, Navy, Indiana and Illinois. Despite all these numbers, the Cards can still be a factor in the MAC if the offense plays to its potential and the defense takes a step forward.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.