FACTS & STATS: Site: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (30,000) -- Annapolis, Maryland. Television: None. Home Record: Ball State 0-1, Navy 0-0. Away Record: Ball State 1-0, Navy 1-1. Neutral Record: Ball State 0-0, Navy 0-0. Conference Record: Ball State 1-1, Navy 0-0. Series Record: Ball State leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Ball State Cardinals' road trip stops in Annapolis for a clash with the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Ball State is on the road until the final week of September, a three-game stretch that ends against Nebraska next week. Last weekend, the Cards cruised to a 38-16 win over Eastern Michigan. The team jumped out to an early lead, but coach Brady Hoke said after the game that plenty of work still needs to be done on offense, defense and special teams. After back-to-back road games to start the season, Navy is back in Annapolis to open the home portion of its schedule. Last week, the Midshipmen lost to 13th-ranked Rutgers, 41-24. Heading into this contest, the team has a couple of injury concerns on the defensive side of the ball. These two teams have met on just one previous occasion, with Ball State cruising to a 33-10 victory back in 1991.

Nate Davis and the Cardinals' passing attack came out firing in the first half against Eastern Michigan, as the sophomore QB tossed three touchdown passes by halftime. He finished the day with 306 passing yards and four scores. His favorite target, Dante Love, tallied seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Davis had the deep ball working quite well, as the Cards averaged a healthy 16.1 yards per completion. The team was also 11-of-20 on third downs. The passing attack ranks in the top-third in the nation with an average of 252 ypg. Running back MiQuale Lewis is averaging 82 ypg on the ground.

Defensively, the Cardinals have played tough through two games, particularly against the pass. The team is giving up just 136.5 passing yards per game, 20th-best in the nation. Ball State has given up just 30 points through two games, and the team ranks 25th in the nation in total defense (279 ypg). Against Eastern Michigan, the Cardinals allowed only 11 first downs and 262 yards of total offense. They were equally stout against both the run (107 yards allowed, 3.8 ypc) and the pass (155 yards). Additionally, the Cardinals held EMU to 3-of-13 on third downs, and 0-of-2 on fourth downs.

Navy annually boasts one of the nation's premier rushing attacks, an occurrence that has more to do with play selection than playmakers. Everyone from the opposite sideline to the popcorn vendor knows that Navy is keeping it on the ground, but that hasn't stopped coach Paul Johnson from dialing up the run time and again. This year, Navy ranks sixth in the nation with 307.5 rushing yards per game. Conversely, the team ranks last in the FBS with 56.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, the spark plug of the Navy offense, averaged an uncharacteristic 2.7 ypc in last week's loss to Rutgers. In the passing game, he completed five passes to his own teammates, and three to Scarlet Knight defense. With Navy relying so heavily on ball control, turnovers become ever so deadly.

The Navy defense, through two games, has been exposed in several areas. For one, punter Greg Veteto is averaging just 27 yards per punt, and it has put the defense in some tight spots. Opposing quarterbacks have been able to pick apart the Navy secondary, which is giving up 232.5 passing yards per game and an average pass efficiency rating of 176.15. A lot of that starts up front, as the Midshipmen have struggled to generate much of a pass rush (one sack on the season). To add insult to injury, or vice versa, the team will likely be without two of its top defensive players. Free safety Jeff Deliz (second on the team with 13 tackles) and linebacker Clint Sovie (10 tackles) are both doubtful with sprained ankles.

Ball State is the more well-rounded team here. Look for the Cardinals to attack the spots vacated by Sovie and Deliz on the Navy defense. As long as the Cardinals have done their homework on stopping the triple-option, they should be able to leave Annapolis with a "W".

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ball State 34, Navy 24