Oh, Ball State's been a terrific watch all year, and watchability is something any bowl team loves to have. That 9-3 record was helped by them being 6-1 in one-touchdown games and finished the season with six straight victories following losses to NIU and Kent State. And their reward is beef. Lots and lots of beef.
And they get good old UCF. Our extremely brief former MAC brothers down in Orlando lost the Conference USA championship to Tulsa, but other than that loss and their regular season loss to them had little trouble in the conference. Their scoring offense and defense are both ranked in the top 30 nationally. Coupled with Ball State's spotty defense, this game may not bode well. But never count out a Pete Lembo-coached team. This team will do well.