Ball State vs. Kent State football preview: What to watch in MAC game

Ball State football's final four games are on the road. Ball State plays at Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. (ESPNU). The two teams haven't played since 2019. Kent has a 12-game home winning streak dating back to 2019 and is 3-5 in the MAC.

Ball State and Kent State are in the same conference. Ball State is tied for second place in West with 2-2 record. If Ball St. wins out and Western Michigan loses one more game, the Cardinals will play in their second MAC Championship game in three seasons. Toledo is the current leader in East. Buffalo, Bowling Green, and Ohio are the front-runners in Western.

Ball State lost the turnover battle 3-0 last week. They have won the battle three times this season. Ball State needs to take advantage of opportunities.  

Ball State's offensive production has declined in the last three weeks. The Cardinals have averaged just 179 passing yards per game in each of their last 3 games. Their season average is now 248 yards. Carson Steele is on pace to surpass 1,000 rushing yards this week against Kent State.

Neu believes that Ball State's passing game has improved this season. Neu also believes John Paddock is not pressing too much. Last season, Ball state's offense struggled. Eastern Michigan took advantage of the short field position to score the game-winning touchdown. Ball St. punted from midfield on its final drive.

Ball State's defense has been improving this season. The Cardinals are 84th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense and tied for 79th on scoring defense. Kent State is 39th overall in terms of total offense and 70th for scoring offense. Colin Schlee is the starter for the Cardinals this week. Dante Cephas and Devontez Walker are the top two pass catchers in MAC. Marquez Cooper is second in rushing yards behind Carson Steele.

Kent State has won 12-straight games at home since October 26, 2019. Ball State hasn't played Kent State since 2019, when the Cardinals lost 41-38.

There are four games left in November for Ball State. The team is under a lot of pressure.