Saturday, September 17, 2005
AU Preview: Ball State
So, take a creampuff game, add some stuff to do at work, and top it off with a drive to Memphis, and you have a late, half-assed preview. Ah, the joys of games that are an absolute joke. Ball State is so bad, David Letterman regularly jokes on their historic futility in football. Here's some key Ball State players courtesy of secsports.com, since the espn.com people apparently looked at this game on the schedule, chuckled, and then moved on to other games to actually analyze.
QB Joey Lynch (Sr.)
Completed 63.9 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions in 2004.
LT Justin Schneider (Sr.)
Helped block for an offense that tallied over 3,500 yards in total offense . . . helped protect a trio of Ball State quarterbacks that completed 57 percent of their passes . . . helped block for a rushing game that amassed over 1,200 yards.
SS Erik Keys (Jr.)
Ranked 21st in the Mid-American Conference in tackles . . . had at least five tackles in nine games . . . credited with a tackle for loss vs. UCF.
Yes, I left the "credited with a tackle for a loss" factoid there just because it's hilarious to me that that somehow merits a factoid to begin with.
PK Brian Jackson (Jr.)
Has connected on 23 field goals in his first two seasons, which ranks as the fourth-best career total in Ball State annals . . . enters the 2005 season needing 16 field goals to move into third on Ball State's career chart . . . made 40 consecutive extra points from the end of the 2003 season through the 10th game of the 2004 campaign.
Jason's Analysis
Bbetween the talent level of the two teams and the location of where the game is being played, anything less than a win by 5 scores will be disappointing. Expect to see the backups playing in the 3rd quarter. The only performance notes for Auburn is to see how the offensive lines holds up for pass protection and running up the middle, and whether or not Cox commits any turnovers. Auburn MUST use these joke games to get in sync for the rough schedule down the road. If the offensive line can't block against Ball State, the LSU, Georgia, and Alabama games will not be pleasant.
Prediction: Auburn 35, Ball State 3
QB Joey Lynch (Sr.)
Completed 63.9 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions in 2004.
LT Justin Schneider (Sr.)
Helped block for an offense that tallied over 3,500 yards in total offense . . . helped protect a trio of Ball State quarterbacks that completed 57 percent of their passes . . . helped block for a rushing game that amassed over 1,200 yards.
SS Erik Keys (Jr.)
Ranked 21st in the Mid-American Conference in tackles . . . had at least five tackles in nine games . . . credited with a tackle for loss vs. UCF.
Yes, I left the "credited with a tackle for a loss" factoid there just because it's hilarious to me that that somehow merits a factoid to begin with.
PK Brian Jackson (Jr.)
Has connected on 23 field goals in his first two seasons, which ranks as the fourth-best career total in Ball State annals . . . enters the 2005 season needing 16 field goals to move into third on Ball State's career chart . . . made 40 consecutive extra points from the end of the 2003 season through the 10th game of the 2004 campaign.
Jason's Analysis
Bbetween the talent level of the two teams and the location of where the game is being played, anything less than a win by 5 scores will be disappointing. Expect to see the backups playing in the 3rd quarter. The only performance notes for Auburn is to see how the offensive lines holds up for pass protection and running up the middle, and whether or not Cox commits any turnovers. Auburn MUST use these joke games to get in sync for the rough schedule down the road. If the offensive line can't block against Ball State, the LSU, Georgia, and Alabama games will not be pleasant.
Prediction: Auburn 35, Ball State 3
