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The History of the Rivalry
The Western Michigan Broncos and Ball State Cardinals have been rivals for over 100 years, with their first meeting taking place in 1920. The two schools are both members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), and their annual meeting is one of the most anticipated games of the season for both fan bases.
Over the years, the rivalry has produced some memorable moments. In 2008, Western Michigan defeated Ball State in a thrilling 45-22 upset victory that ruined the Cardinals’ perfect season. In 2013, Ball State returned the favor, defeating Western Michigan 33-21 to spoil the Broncos’ homecoming festivities.
The 2023 Matchup
The 2023 matchup between Western Michigan and Ball State is shaping up to be another exciting chapter in this historic rivalry. Both teams are coming off successful seasons in 2022, with Western Michigan finishing 9-4 and Ball State finishing 8-5.
The Broncos will be led by quarterback Kaleb Eleby, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2022. Eleby will have the benefit of a strong supporting cast, including running back Sean Tyler and wide receiver Skyy Moore.
On the other side of the ball, Western Michigan’s defense will be anchored by linebacker Corvin Moment, who led the team in tackles last season with 103. The Broncos will need Moment and the rest of their defense to step up if they hope to slow down Ball State’s high-powered offense.
Speaking of Ball State’s offense, the Cardinals will be led by quarterback Drew Plitt, who threw for over 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Plitt will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, including wide receivers Yo’Heinz Tyler and Justin Hall.
Defensively, Ball State will be led by linebacker Brandon Martin, who was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 after recording 118 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Martin will look to lead the Cardinals’ defense in slowing down Western Michigan’s explosive offense.
Keys to Victory
For Western Michigan, the key to victory will be establishing a strong running game early on. If Sean Tyler can get going and open up the passing game for Kaleb Eleby, the Broncos will be tough to stop.
On defense, Western Michigan will need to focus on containing Ball State’s passing attack. The Cardinals averaged over 300 yards per game through the air last season, and if they’re allowed to get into a rhythm, they can put up points in a hurry.
For Ball State, the key to victory will be getting pressure on Kaleb Eleby. The Cardinals’ defense recorded 33 sacks in 2022, and they’ll need to continue to be aggressive in order to disrupt Western Michigan’s offense.
Offensively, Ball State will need to strike a balance between the passing game and the running game. If they become too one-dimensional, Western Michigan’s defense will be able to focus on shutting down whichever aspect of the offense is most effective.
Predictions
As with any rivalry game, anything can happen when Western Michigan and Ball State take the field. Both teams are talented and well-coached, and it should be a close game throughout.
That being said, I’m predicting that Western Michigan will come out on top in this one. The Broncos have a potent offense that can score in a variety of ways, and I think they’ll be able to take advantage of Ball State’s defense.
Final score prediction: Western Michigan 31, Ball State 28.
Conclusion
The Western Michigan-Ball State rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in college football, and the 2023 matchup promises to be another classic. With both teams coming off successful seasons and looking to establish themselves as contenders in the MAC, this game is sure to have plenty of drama and excitement.
Whether you’re a fan of Western Michigan or Ball State, or just a college football enthusiast in general, be sure to tune in and catch all the action.
