Quarterbacks
Ball State – After starting the final 10 games of last season, sophomore Keith Wenning was named this year's starter by new coach Pete Lembo after a competition with junior Kelly Page. Wenning played in all 12 games as a true freshman last season, completing 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,373 yards. He also had 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Indiana – New coach Kevin Wilson has not named a starting quarterback for Saturday's game. Last year's starter, Ben Chappell, graduated, leaving sophomores Edward Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel in a competition. Each played in five games last year and they combined to complete 7-of-16 for 108 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Advantage – Cardinals – Wenning got plenty of experience last year and has already started two games on the road against Big Ten opponents. As Ball State fans can attest to after the last two years, inexperienced quarterbacks often do not immediately excel.
Running backs
Ball State – Last season this was Ball State's biggest strength. But most of the Cardinals who had a rushing attempt last year won't play Saturday night. MiQuale Lewis and Ray Winkler graduated, Eric Williams and Otis Brown left the program, David Brown and Cory Sykes have been injured most of training camp, Page likely will remain on the sideline and Phil Dudley isn't listed on the depth chart.
Indiana – The Hoosiers don't return much more experience than Ball State at running back. Redshirt freshman Matt Perez was an All-American in high school, but sat out last year because of a knee injury in training camp. Wilson shored up the group with Stephen Houston, who transferred from junior college.
Advantage – Hoosiers – Perez was supposed to be a part of Indiana's offense as a true freshman. Now he'll get a chance to show what the hype was about. Sykes could be a difference maker for the Cardinals, but will he be healthy enough to take the field?
Wide receivers
Ball State – Lembo's offense uses at least three wide receivers, offering Wenning plenty of options. Senior Briggs Orsbon is the most experienced of the group, having amassed 1,569 receiving yards in his career. Sophomore Jack Tomlinson led the Cardinals with 484 receiving yards and six touchdowns last year.
Indiana – Wilson's offense also uses three wide receivers, and the backups at all three spots are true freshmen. But whoever the Hoosiers start at quarterback, he will be able to count on Damarlo Belcher, who led Indiana with 832 receiving yards and 78 receptions last fall.
Advantage – Even – While both teams have some experience at the position, underclassmen will be asked to contribute to two pass-heavy offenses right away.
Linebackers
Ball State – Juniors Travis Freeman and Tony Martin have been starting for the Cardinals for the last two years. Freeman led Ball State in tackles last year and had the second most in 2009. Joining the group is sophomore Aaron Morris, who moved from safety to outside linebacker to fill the hole left by the end of Davyd Jones' career.
Indiana – The Hoosiers start a pair of fifth-year seniors in Jeff Thomas and Leon Beckum. Thomas was second on the team in tackles a year ago, while Beckum tied for third. Redshirt freshman Chase Hoobler fills out the position, though the Hoosiers have another fifth-year senior to back him up.
Advantage – Hoosiers – Freeman and Martin have been extremely important to Ball State's defense for two years, but it's hard to beat having a pair of fifth-year seniors to anchor the position.
Defensive backs
Ball State – Safety Sean Baker will play with a cast on his right hand because of a chip fracture in his thumb, but it likely won't slow down Ball State's best defender. Junior cornerback Jason Pinkston has already developed a reputation as one of the best cover corners in the Mid-American Conference and had four interceptions last season.
Indiana – The Hoosiers intercepted eight passes last season and only one was made by a returning defensive back. And while both of Indiana's starting safeties are fifth-year seniors, the pair played in a combined six games a year ago. Someone will have to step up and replace safety Mitchell Evans, who made 69 tackles in his senior season.
Advantage – Cardinals – Baker and Pinkston are two of Ball State's best players. Against a coach that likes to air it out, they will need to play like it Saturday.
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