The Mid-American Conference defense that's given up the most yards, yards per game and touchdowns will face the conference's best offense this weekend in DeKalb, Ill.
Ball State University's defense - fresh off allowing 465 yards to Ohio and allowing 502.7 yards per game - will face a Northern Illinois offense that ranks the best in the MAC and a running back who's averaged the most rushing yards per game.
Much of Ball State's struggles have come from a lack of consistency, Cardinals coach Brady Hoke said.
"I think there's a consistency that's got to be involved," Hoke said. "I don't see that consistency play after play, week after week, mentally getting ready so we can play that way. It's more mental than anything else at this stage."
Defensive end Blair Kramer also said the team needs to accept responsibility for mental mistakes made.
"It's up to the players," Kramer said. "Personal accountability is something we always talk about."
Surprisingly, despite being the leading MAC team in rushing and total yards, Northern Illinois is third in the conference in points per game (33.4) behind Toledo and Bowling Green. The Huskies average 492 total yards and 235 rushing yards.
Hoke attributes the success of Northern Illinois' offense to its offensive line. One of its products is current Indianapolis Colts lineman Ryan Diem.
"They're as good a line as you're going to face," Hoke said.
The Huskies' top two running backs, Garrett Wolfe and A.J. Harris both sustained injuries against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 15 and have sat out since then.
Wolfe was averaging 144 yards per game - best in the MAC - and has gained 864 yards on 136 carries, a 6.4 average. He's also run for seven touchdowns, tied for second-most.
In their place is third-string tailback Adrian Davis, who ran for 252 yards last week against Kent State.
"That's a pretty good offensive line," Hoke said on the line's performance in allowing a backup to have that kind of game.
Ball State has had difficulty this season stopping the run, and that didn't change against Ohio's Kalvin McRae, who ran for 264 yards.
"I think we made him better, but I think he's a better back than just watching film," Hoke said.
Louis Johnson's seven receptions for 132 yards was the lone bright spot for the offense last weekend, Hoke said.
"I just want to do my part to win," Johnson said. "When we've got the opportunity, we've got to back up our words."
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