Ball State Game Preview

The Toledo Rockets (5-5) travel to Muncie next Tuesday to take on the Ball State Cardinals in a nationally televised game. Can QB Aaron Opelt and the Rockets get win number six?

Two years ago quarterbacks Aaron Opelt and Nate Davis were playing high school football in the state of Ohio. Both kids were recruited by the University of Toledo, and both were recruited by Ball State University. Opelt chose Toledo, while Davis chose to go to Ball State.

Both players saw the playing field as true freshman in 2006. Aaron Opelt showed glimmers of what he could become, while Davis broke onto the scene as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Next Tuesday they will share the national spotlight when the Rockets travel to Muncie to take on the Ball State Cardinals in a game that will be televised on ESPN2.

Aaron Opelt was named the starting quarterback for Toledo coming into the season, but struggled early before missing a couple of games with a leg injury. However, since coming back against Ohio University he has been on fire. He has led the Rockets to three consecutive victories while passing for 867 yards with 7 touchdowns and zero interceptions, while also scoring two rushing touchdowns for the Rockets. The offense is averaging 55 points per game during the last three games, and 289 yards passing per game. What's even more impressive is the 7:0 touchdown to interception ratio.

The passing game has led to a more effective running game too. Jalen Parmele and DaJuane Collins are combing for 249.3 yards rushing per game in the last three games. The duo have also scored 11 rushing touchdowns in the three game span. Parmele leads the MAC with 1,306 yards rushing for the season.

This all equates to the MAC's #1 offense in three categories; total offense, scoring offense, and rushing offense. In fact, Toledo is ranked in the top 25 in the country at each of those three statistical categories.

This is all bad news for a Ball State defense that is 10th in the MAC in total defense (434.7 ypg) and 11th in rush defense (215.1 ypg).

However, the Ball State offense is happy to see the Rocket defense after facing two consecutive Big Ten teams. Ball State QB Nate Davis leads the MAC in passing yardage with 2785 yards, and in touchdown passes with 22. The weakness of the Rocket defense is against the run though. Despite losing their starter for the season with an injury against Nebraska, true freshman Frank Edmonds has emerged as a capable running back for Ball State. Edmonds has 466 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns on the season.

There's one other factor to consider for this game; the "Muncie Jinx" as it has been named. Toledo travelled to Ball State in 1997 with an 8-0 record and #18 ranking in the national polls, only to lose 35-3. In 2001 Toledo was 5-0, before giving up a kick return for a touchdown late in the game and losing at Ball State 24-20. In 2003 Toledo was 5-2 and 3-0 in the MAC when they lost 38-14 in Muncie. Finally the last time the Rockets played in Muncie they did walk away with a 34-14 victory against the Cardinals, but that was not the same caliber of team that Ball State will put on the field next Tuesday.

Nonetheless, a victory at Ball State this year assures Toledo they will not have a losing season, and it most likely wipes that "Muncie Jinx" away from our memories.