FACTS & STATS: Site: Waldo Stadium (30,200) -- Kalamazoo, Michigan. Television: Local. Home Record: BSU 2-2, WMU 1-2. Away Record: BSU 2-1, WMU 2-2. Neutral Record: BSU 0-0, WMU 0-0. Conference Record: BSU 2-2, WMU 2-1. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 19-14.

GAME NOTES: In a Mid-American Conference showdown at Waldo Stadium, the Western Michigan Broncos will host the Ball State Cardinals this Saturday afternoon. After suffering an embarrassing 58-38 setback to Central Michigan, the Cardinals rebounded with a convincing, 35-12 victory over Western Kentucky this past weekend. Unfortunately,, the schedule does not get any easier for BSU as the team will be on the road for four of its last five contests. As for the Broncos, they opened the season with three consecutive losses, but since then the team has won three of its last four games, including a hard-fought 17-13 victory over Northern Illinois this past weekend. Coming into this matchup the Broncos are 2-1 in the MAC West Division, sitting just one game behind the Central Michigan Chippewas, who they will host on November 6th. The Broncos pushed their lead in the all-time series to 19-14 last season, as WMU defeated Ball State, 41-27, on the road.

The Cardinals possess one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the Mid- American Conference and head into this weekend averaging an impressive 35.3 ppg. Ball State has abused the opposition for 176.1 rushing ypg, while also torching its opponents for 278.9 ypg via the pass. The Cardinals' passing attack continued to shine this past weekend against Western Kentucky, as Nate Davis threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Davis has been sensational all season and heads into this weekend with 1,928 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against only three interceptions. His top two targets have been Dante Love and Darius Hill, as the two receivers have combined for 79 receptions for 1,160 yards and 13 scores. In the win over WKU, Love and Hill were at it again, as the two players caught six passes apiece, while Love finished with 91 yards and one touchdown. Since MiQuale Lewis went down with an injury, Frank Edmonds has stepped into the backfield and has done a commendable job. On the year, the tailback has rumbled for 347 yards and five scores on 4.0 ypc.

Unfortunately the defensive unit has been abysmal all season. Ball State is surrendering 26.6 ppg on the season, while being abused for 217.6 rushing ypg, and also 208.6 passing ypg. In the recent victory over Western Kentucky the Cardinals continued their struggles against the run, allowing the Hilltoppers to rumbled for 222 yards on 54 attempts. Overall the Cardinals surrendered 411 yards in the contest, but forced three turnovers and collected two sacks. Ball State has had trouble in both areas this season and heads into this game with only 14 turnovers and 10 sacks. The defense has also struggled inside its own 20-yard line, allowing the opposition to convert on 17-of-23 red zone opportunities. Bryant Haines has been a machine for this unit, as the linebacker has totaled 75 tackles. In the win over WKU, Haines was all over the field, and finished the game with 14 tackles and two TFLs.

The Broncos are similar to the Cardinals and possess an extremely dangerous offensive attack. WMU, which is producing 31.9 ppg, has been effective throughout the season, rushing for 132.1 ypg, while throwing for another 267.7 ypg. In the recent victory over NIU the Broncos used a power rushing attack to overcome the Huskies, finishing the game with 170 yards on 48 attempts. Mark Bonds was the main threat out of the backfield, as the tailback rumbled for 104 yards and one touchdown. Bonds has done a sensational job on the season, rushing for 492 yards and six scores on 4.5 ypc. As for the passing attack, Tim Hiller has been a solid signal-caller for WMU, completing 65.2 percent of his passes. After seven games, Hiller has thrown for 1,713 yards and 13 scores against just eight INTs. Against the Huskies, Hiller only threw for 226 yards and one score, but also tossed one interception , while being sacked three times. Jamarko Simmons grabbed five passes for 57 yards in the win, and now has team-highs in receptions (60), yards (696) and touchdowns (6).

Unfortunately the defense for Western Michigan has been horrendous, especially against the run, as the unit is being abused for 210.1 ypg. Overall the Broncos are being dismantled for 434.6 total yards and that has led to 35 ppg. However, in the win over Northern Illinois, the Broncos had a solid performance, holding NIU to just 333 total yards, including only 130 yards on 33 carries. WMU forced just two turnovers in the win and finished the game with one sack. WMU has forced 17 miscues on the season, but the team has struggled to put pressure on the QB, collecting just 11 sacks on the year. Two other sore spots have been third-down and red zone percentage, as opponents are converting 46 percent of their third downs and 75 percent of their red zone chances.

This should be a high-scoring battle between two tremendous offensive units and two suspect defensive squads. Since the Broncos are home and have a slightly better ground game, they should be able to slip by with a win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Western Michigan 38, Ball State 32