[Lefty Noob]

This weekend, the Michigan Wolverines host Ball State. Michigan improved to 9-0 yesterday with a win over Northwestern, but they weren't as dominant as many felt they should've been. I can't imagine Ball State posing much of a threat to UM, though. How do you guys see this one turning out?

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[Tromenkin]

well im still seeing michigan winning this game, but again i dont think its going to a big points margin. im not sure why there not raking the points and getting mike hart closer to a chance at the heighsman( not sure on spelling) mabye there doing it on purpose? trying to hide something from the 9-0 ohio state team?

[hotshot7796]

no offense to any ball state fans, but i see this as more of a scrimmage than anything else, i watched these guys play cmu earlier this year, and i wasn't to impressed

[Tromenkin]

yeah agreed, ball state doesn't have much of a chance in this game, id like to see hart rack up some yards this week though lol

[Michigan Wolverines News]

The Sports Network is predicting a 38-7 Michigan victory.

ClickOnDetroit.com - Sports - Ball State (3-6) At (2) Michigan (9-0)
Michigan is the country's top defensive unit against the run, allowing a mere 28.4 ypg on the ground. Northwestern felt the crunch first-hand last week, finishing with minus-13 yards rushing, despite having one of the more productive backs in the Big Ten carrying the ball in Tyrell Sutton. Sutton was held to six net yards on seven carries, meaning the Wildcats were forced to go to the air to move the ball. Michigan allowed 204 passing yards on the day, but picked off NU quarterbacks three times and also recovered a pair of fumbles to keep the Wildcats off their game. David Harris wound up with a club-best six stops, two of which were behind the line of scrimmage, while LaMarr Woodley also made the most of his few tackles, logging three TFLs, including a pair of sacks. Michigan leads the Big Ten in sacks with 33, while also heading the conference in allowing the fewest first downs at 118.

Ball State has very little chance of keeping this game competitive, let alone pulling off what would be considered a monumental upset. Expect the Michigan defense to once again stand tall and for Hart and the Wolverine ground assault to pound its way to a lopsided victory.

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[Lefty Noob]

Wow, was this one ever closer than I had thought!

NCAAF - Ball State Cardinals/Michigan Wolverines Recap Saturday November 4, 2006 - Yahoo! Sports
By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
November 4, 2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan got caught peeking ahead and turned a tuneup against Ball State into quite a test.

Trailing by just eight, Cardinals quarterback Nate Davis threw incomplete on fourth-and-goal with 2:46 left and couldn't connect on a final-play desperation heave, allowing the second-ranked Wolverines to escape with a 34-26 win on Saturday.

Chad Henne acknowledged the hype about the much-anticipated matchup Nov. 18 at No. 1 Ohio State has been tough to ignore.

"I think that is a lot of the reason why we weren't focused," Michigan's quarterback said. "Coming into the game, people were reading too many press clippings."

With its guard down, Michigan (10-0) gave Ball State an early lead and let the five-touchdown underdogs make a late charge.

The Wolverines were clearly upset with themselves after the game. Even the usually talkative Mike Hart declined to be interviewed.

This team better start getting serious; too many close calls lately, don't you think?

[goblue35]

I agree fully. I am a huge michigan fan but there have been to many close calls they need to set their minds on the game at hand and not the osu game yet.

[Lefty Noob]

I think this game served as a wake-up call. Expect no mercy for Indiana on Saturday.