PIERCE: It’s time for Ball State Football to play in a bowl game

<p>Senior defensive tackle Chris Crumb smacks the banner as he runs onto the field Oct. 19, 2019, at Scheumann Stadium. Ball State beat Toledo, 52-14. <strong>Jacob Musselman, DN</strong></p>

Senior defensive tackle Chris Crumb smacks the banner as he runs onto the field Oct. 19, 2019, at Scheumann Stadium. Ball State beat Toledo, 52-14. Jacob Musselman, DN

Ball State Football's remaining games:

Nov. 16 vs. Central Michigan 

Nov. 23 at Kent State 

Nov. 29 vs. Miami (Ohio) 

Drew Pierce is a junior journalism major and is a columnist for The Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. 

2013 was the last time Ball State participated in a bowl game, and 2019 shows the most potential for the Cardinals playing on the national stage since. 

The Cardinals have not won more than five games in a season since that trip to Alabama for the GoDaddy Bowl. 

Sitting at 4-5 with three regular season games left, this is a prime opportunity for the Cardinals to win out the schedule and cruise to their first bowl game in six years. 

It has been a long time since the Cardinals have seen an explosive offense guide them to victory as it has this season. With redshirt junior Drew Plitt behind center, a new energy has come to Muncie in the form of a football squad that is full of potential. Plitt, paired with redshirt senior receiver Riley Miller and junior running back Caleb Huntley, is a threat to the Mid-American Conference. 

Currently, Ball State is 3-2 in the MAC and can very well win the West Division if it turns each of these three final games into victories. The road ahead is not easy, but it is within reach and can provide the Cardinals with much-needed momentum to turn this football program around. 

On Oct. 27, a group of ESPN analysts came together and gave their predictions for the 2019-20 bowl games. They predicted Ball State would play in either the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl or the Camellia Bowl. The Cardinals have dropped two straight since that prediction, but it is still possible to squeeze into a spot.

With two of the remaining three games being at home, the stars are aligning for a Ball State bowl game appearance. Even if the Cardinals only win two of the final three regular season games, it is possible to see a bowl game. However, that third game will most likely be the difference maker for the Cardinals. 

With a win Saturday against Central Michigan, Ball State will be one win away from grabbing bowl-eligibility status. 

Contact Drew Pierce with comments at dlpierce2@bsu.edu or on Twitter @dpierce3cc

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