Football on the Fringe Season Previews were ranked, then delivered in random order.
It’s tough to imagine a more disappointing run for a college team than what Ball State endured from the end of 2008 through 2009. After a 12-0 regular season, the Cardinals lost in the MAC Championship Game and in their bowl, then started 2009 with seven more losses. The season ended with only two wins, but six of the losses came by a touchdown or less.
2010 is a season with a lot of upside for the Cardinals- Ball State has 10 starters back on offense and seven on the defense, making them one of the most experienced starting lineups in the country. The question, as with a lot of teams looking to rebound, is can that experience translate into wins?
Schedule
Coaching
Stan Parrish starts year two of his tenure at Ball State, but his fourth head coaching job overall, after 20 years out of the lead role. He previously coached at FCS Wabash, Marshall, and Kansas State, where he amassed a 2-30-1 record in three seasons. As such, you have to go back to 1985, when Marshall was still 1-AA, to find the last time Parrish led a team to more than two wins in a season.
Rankings
The MAC media picked Ball State to finish 5th in the six team MAC West.
Outlook
This season could go either way for Ball State. Maybe the experience comes together and the Cardinals really make a run on a weak schedule, which is what I thought at first. But that coaching record scares me- is Parrish able to get the job done? I think Ball State should take a step forward regardless, probably 6-6, but with two FCS teams that won’t technically be bowl eligible.
Ball State Connections
Official Football Site – the state of college sports websites is poor across the board, but Ball State takes the prize (to date) of having the worst football website in America. I strongly recommend you choose one of these other fine options for your Ball State football information, but don’t blame me if their site gives you a headache if you must pay it a visit.
Official Twitter Feed – ow. their twitter page and logo is just as busy and incomprehensible as their website. Sorry.
BSUFans.com – independent message board- oh that’s much better. Normal formatting, normal colors, thank you.
The Star Press – local coverage of the Cardinals
Nikki Thanks for voicing this very real oversight. It was a mess, but in a way I hope that a possible happy outcome will be that attention will be given to all of these incredible authors and books.