Early Football Previews and Predictions: Game Eight at Ball State

[catdaddyp]

2024 Rewind:

Ball State parted ways with Mike Neu before the season officially wrapped, ending his ninth year at the helm with a 3-9 record. In his place, former Butler head coach Mike Uremovich takes over and is tasked with breathing new life into a program that’s been stuck in neutral.

 

 

Recruiting under Uremovich:

2025:

On3 - 9th in MAC

247 - 10th in MAC

 

 

Cardinals on Offense:

After what felt like years of the Ball State fanbase clamoring to see more of Kiael Kelly, they'll finally get their wish. Uremovich favors mobile quarterbacks and isn’t shy about dialing up designed runs for them. Kelly may not be among the MAC’s most accurate passers, but there’s no denying his ability to make things happen with his legs.

 

Kennesaw State transfer Qua Ashley has already proven himself as an all-conference kick returner and now gets the chance to carve out a role as an every-down back. If Ashley can’t lock down the job, redshirt sophomore TJ Horton is the likely next man up.

 

The offense will look entirely different from last year’s version that leaned heavily on tight end Tanner Koziol in the passing game. That might not be a bad thing, considering Ball State returns very little proven production at receiver or tight end. Bucknell transfer Eric Weatherly is one to keep an eye on as a potential breakout candidate.

 

The offensive line is a concern with just one starter returning in offensive tackle Chris Hood. Butler transfer Adam Dolan is expected to start on the opposite side. If fully healthy, Tristan Cook should slot in somewhere, but he missed all of 2024 with a medical redshirt. Beyond those three, it’s anyone’s guess who rounds out the rest of the depth chart.

 

 

Cardinals on Defense:

Somewhat similar to the Zips, Ball State will be rolling out an almost entirely new defensive line loaded with five transfer players. Bryant transfer Nathan Voorhis should lock down one end spot, while returning starter Drew Hughes reprises his role in the interior. From there, the Cardinals will mix and match to find their best combinations across the remaining spots.

 

Ball State lost its top tacklers, but do return linebacker Joey Stemler who collected 56 total tackles last season. Backup Jack Beebe will have the first crack at claiming a starting spot.

 

The secondary returns just one starter in Willizhaun Yates. Four transfers are expected to step into starting roles—Old Dominion’s Ashton Whitner, Bucknell’s Roman Pearson, Coastal Carolina’s Deondre Shepherd, and Western Michigan’s Michael Gravely.

 

Carson Holmer and Cole Stumbaugh are expected to take over kicking and punting duties, respectively.

 

 

Position Advantage:

QB - Akron

RB - Akron

WR - Akron

TE - Akron

OL - Even

DL - Even

LB - Ball State

DB - Akron

ST - Even

 

 

Way too Early Prediction:

Like I mentioned in the last preview, Akron has had a tough time containing mobile quarterbacks. That said, Kiael Kelly isn’t quite in the same category as some of the other dual-threat guys we’ve faced—like Dequan Finn or Parker Navarro. He also won’t have the same kind of supporting cast those two had the last time we saw them. With so many question marks across the board on offense, it’s hard to imagine Uremovich’s scheme will be firing on all cylinders in year one.

 

Ball State will also be rolling out a ton of new faces on defense, and there’s a chance we see a new scheme on that side of the ball as well. Depth could be a real concern in 2025, especially as the season wears on.

 

Despite this game being on the road at Ball State, it feels like one Akron should win. Moorhead has now had four recruiting cycles to elevate the talent level in Akron, and this should be the best offense we’ve seen under his watch—with the most overall talent across multiple positions. Against a rebuilding program in year one, the Zips ought to have the upper hand. I think Akron takes care of business and walks away with another conference win, 27–17.

 

 

Edited July 17 by catdaddyp

[Blue & Gold]

Two weeks ago Balls beat OU 20-14 and then last week lost to WMU 42-0 🧐🤨

[exit322]

I'm sure they'll have fun

[Ham]

On 10/13/2025 at 8:59 AM, Blue & Gold said:

Two weeks ago Balls beat OU 20-14 and then last week lost to WMU 42-0 🧐🤨

This shows that anything can happen in the MAC.  Pre snap penalties must be eliminated.  I will say the call last week on our DT was poor.  By rule motion by the DT that causes the O to react is OK; however just pointing out that motion is not the type of reaction the rule intended.  The other 5 calls were on us.  Finley must hit at least 65%.  Drops happen; just like catches on balls thrown well behind receivers. This game is winnable.  I'm always hopeful. Zips win.

 

exit322, why don't you just take the off ramp to relieve your suffering? 

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Ham said:

 

exit322, why don't you just take the off ramp to relieve your suffering? 

 

This is solid advice. I pretty much gave up following Akron and college football 6-7 years ago and my Saturdays are now much more enjoyable.

[exit322]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

This is solid advice. I pretty much gave up following Akron and college football 6-7 years ago and my Saturdays are now much more enjoyable.

Why would I give up?  Clearly everything is going great around InfoCision.

[kreed5120]

41 minutes ago, exit322 said:

Why would I give up?  Clearly everything is going great around InfoCision.

 

My distaste extends long beyond Akron. College football just isn't entertaining. So many lopsided games. The saving grace before was the regular season was like a 12 week playoff before so every game in the regular season mattered. With the expanded playoffs each regular season game matters less.

 

Let's use OSU as an example. 10 years ago if OSU got upset by Rutgers that would mean OSU season would be on life support. Now it might just mean the difference between having a first round bye or hosting a 1st round campus game.

Edited 11 hours ago by kreed5120

[ZippyDoo]

I ain't gonna lie, it would be exciting to see the Zips compete for the MAC.  I know it's not the college playoffs or the AP top 25, but just to be relevant would be exciting.

 

I know someone is going to say it's never going to happen, or it's never going to happen with this coach, I get the frustration. I'm just saying just to be relevant in the MAC would be exciting for me.  I'm not asking for much.

 

This year, Wyoming sucked, UAB was winnable, Central sucked, Miami didn't suck but was winnable.  Zips should have split those four games at the very least.  Looking back at this schedule it is like the captain of the cheerleading squad saying hi to you everyday and you actually thinking you had a chance to go out with her, until you actually ask her and she busts out in laughter.....

 

You just shake your head and wonder what the heck was I thinking?

[MangoZip]

Agree, all of last year we talked about how the schedule had set us up to fail and that this year this schedule was set up for success - which it was. It’s the story of Joe’s tenure, so many winnable games that we just couldn’t close on. So far this year it’s Wyoming and UAB. Win those are we are sitting at 4-3 with several winnable MAC games in the next month and a very possible bowl bid (if eligible) coming. But here we are again, another year of “what if’s”. Let’s get a win over Testicle Tech this week and see if it builds any momentum. 

[exit322]

6 hours ago, ZippyDoo said:

I know it's not the college playoffs

 

With how the CFP is now, I'd really like to see a G5 playoffs.  I mean, Akron isn't getting within screaming distance unless they go 68 teams like March Madness.  But it'd be more fun than the Who Gives a Crap Bowl