Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down tonight’s game against Ball State at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind.

Quarterbacks

Nevermind CMU senior quarterback Dan LeFevour, who totaled six touchdowns last week against Toledo. It is tough to compare quarterbacks when one team rarely uses its passer.

After Ball State redshirt freshman quarterback Kelly Page went down to injury, coach Stan Parrish inserted senior Tanner Justice. But with the decision, the entire offense changed. The wildcat formation is now prominent in Muncie. And Justice is just a piece of the puzzle, much less a factor compared to running backs MiQuale Lewis, Eric Williams and Cory Sykes.

Justice, in three starts, has attempted 38 passes, just more than 12 per game.

Advantage: CMU. It is easy to hold an advantage against a team that fails to utilize the position. Ball State may even be better since implementing the wildcat, but it is not because of quarterback play. Justice, who lines up in a receiver position when BSU uses the formation — which it does often — will only get a few hand-offs to pass out of just to keep the defense honest and prevent it from loading the box.

Running backs

Just when junior Carl Volny seemed to be finding his groove, sophomore Bryan Schroeder stepped up with a 105-yard performance for CMU last week. But the focus in the backfield will be on the other team. Senior MiQuale Lewis racked up 177 yards last year against CMU at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. But in the wildcat for the first time against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 24, he ran for 301 yards, a school record. In the same game, sophomore Cory Sykes ran for 203. And the Cardinals were without freshman Eric Williams, who actually is ahead of Sykes on the depth chart.

At times, all three backs will be in the formation at once and, sometimes, more than one of them will touch the ball on a given play. Ball State’s wildcat is based on misdirection and, despite not having near the success it had against EMU since then, it is sure to cause confusion for CMU.

Advantage: Ball State. Ball State has three game-changing running backs, and Lewis had success against the Chippewas in the past.

CMU offensive line vs. Ball State defensive front seven

Ball State’s front seven is giving up more than 155 rushing yards per game, on par for what LeFevour and CMU have accounted for week after week. Its defensive line has the third-fewest sacks in the conference as well.

CMU’s offensive line gelled last week against Toledo. The Chippewas had six rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard rusher (Schroeder). Also, LeFevour dropped back 37 times and was sacked just once. He was given enough time to complete 29-of-36 passes for 341 yards and two more touchdowns.

Advantage: CMU. Schroeder and Volny have shown in recent weeks the ability to carry the load, but LeFevour should put up ample rushing numbers this week.

Ball State offensive line vs. CMU defensive front seven

The Cardinals have the Mid-American Conference’s fourth-best rushing offense and CMU has the conference’s third-best defense against the run. Something has got to give.

In this case, Ball State will get its yards. It is inevitable since it started running the wildcat. But CMU has a veteran defensive line and two linebackers ­— juniors Nick Bellore and Matt Berning — that are among the MAC’s best. Expect senior linebacker Tim Brazzel to see more playing time in run support.

Advantage: CMU. With no passing game to worry about, CMU’s front seven should be able to contain the Ball State rushing attack and minimize damage.

CMU wide receivers vs. Ball State secondary

Ball State is middle-of-the-pack in terms of defending the pass, and it is tied for the least amount of interceptions in the MAC. Last week against Toledo, LeFevour connected with senior Bryan Anderson and juniors Antonio Brown and Kito Poblah for big plays.

Advantage: CMU. This one is no contest. Simply put, Ball State does not match up well with CMU’s playmakers on the perimeter.

Ball State wide receivers vs. CMU secondary
As a sophomore, Briggs Orsbon has shown the ability to make plays but, again, it will not matter. In Justice’s first two starts combined, he completed just eight passes. Last week, albeit statistically better, he still only attempted 19 passes, completing 11. If anything, some trickery could lead to a big pass or two.

Advantage: CMU. CMU’s secondary will have to be more concerned with helping in run support. Safeties Eric Fraser and Dannie Bolden will likely have an extensive role in run support, but something to look for will be the if cornerbacks Kirkston Edwards and Vince Agnew — in for injured starter Josh Gordy — can help with run support on the perimeter.

Coaching

CMU Coach Butch Jones got his team to rebound from its loss to Boston College in fine fashion, beating Toledo 56-28.

Advantage: CMU. Set aside CMU and its success for now. Ball State was undefeated going into the MAC Championship last season. As of now, the Cardinals are 1-9 under new coach Stan Parrish. Even without last year’s quarterback, Nate Davis, among other players, the math is not too difficult to figure out.

Prediction
Ball State has lost nine games this year, but six have been decided by one possession. However, it is hard to imagine CMU not blowing this one wide open.

CMU 56, Ball State 17

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover