Looking ahead: Ball State is a capable team

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Obviously we SHOULD absolutely obliterate them, but just a few points worth mentioning:

-Ball State won 6 games last year, 2 of their losses were to Penn State and Wyoming (granted, they were blowouts)

-They then won 4 of their next 5, including an impressive double-digit win over Army. Army went 9-4 and beat Mizzou in their bowl game.

-They would later lose to a 9-win NIU team by one point.

-They put up over 30 points each in 5 games last year

Just some off-season looking ahead. While we shouldn’t have much of a problem, it was interesting to see this is a team that can actually play some ball.

 

[bpalmer28]

If we lose to them momentum is dead and Heupel immediately goes to the hot seat.... My heart can't handle that kind of crap anymore, so I refuse to accept that a loss is a realistic outcome.

 

[SayNoToJorts]

The days of worrying about these types of games are hopefully behind us

 

[SpookyAction]

I expect us to need competent play to win. It is like a low to mid-tier bowl game, as an out of conference game should be. This is an excellent match up for us.

 

[TitanicVolz]

First game of the season is hard to ever judge anyone on.Yes if we are the UT we think then we should handle them.At the same time things are changing for everyone not just UT so those days of showing up while another team just lays down for a million bucks arent going to cut it as weve seen numerous times over the past years.

 

[SpookyAction]

It will be good for us to line up against a decent team. We will be sharper when we line up against UF.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

It will be good for us to line up against a decent team. We will be sharper when we line up against UF.

Florida could very much be 1-2 by the time they face us.

 

[SpookyAction]

That doesn't affect whether we knock them or they knock us. History is not on our side. I am waiting to see history change. We will not be stronger this year. It will take time.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

There is absolutely ZERO reason to worry about teams like this anymore.

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

Yeah I stated this numerous times last year the nature of this staff and offense does not allow for players to relax and take reps off due to the speed and tempo this will make games we are supposed to win talent wise turn into blowouts… CJH will have the boys ready to play and we will beat the teams we are supposed to without much difficulty…

 

[Volinnooga]

WGBTFA

 

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

They won't have the athletes to line up and contain our offense. Tillman will likely top 200 yards if he wants, Jabari can run for 150 easily. Hooker puts this game away fast, and then we can watch Milton make low IQ plays

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

It'll be over in the first quarter.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I expect to see a much improved Milton lighting them up most of the game.

 

[Elhanan]

I’m expecting a blowout against Ball S.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I’m expecting a blowout against Ball S.

Or are you expecting a ball out against Blow State…

…… is my response.

 

[hUTch2002]

Obviously we SHOULD absolutely obliterate them, but just a few points worth mentioning:

-Ball State won 6 games last year, 2 of their losses were to Penn State and Wyoming (granted, they were blowouts)

-They then won 4 of their next 5, including an impressive double-digit win over Army. Army went 9-4 and beat Mizzou in their bowl game.

-They would later lose to a 9-win NIU team by one point.

-They put up over 30 points each in 5 games last year

Just some off-season looking ahead. While we shouldn’t have much of a problem, it was interesting to see this is a team that can actually play some ball.

I’m going to pretend you didn’t type that.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

OP no disrespect, but your stuck in the Butch Jones and McGump eras of TN football. The days of worrying about teams like Utah State, Arky St and Ball State are over.

 

[Elhanan]

Or are you expecting a ball out against Blow State…

…… is my response.

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Lookout for Ball St?

Are you the Mayor of
Negavolsville?

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

45-13.

 

[tnutater]

OP no disrespect, but your stuck in the Butch Jones and McGump eras of TN football. The days of worrying about teams like Utah State, Arky St and Ball State are over.

I noticed the conspicuous absence, of another state, Georgia.
However , you are correct.
I worry more about players being injured in these openers than actually losing.
You have to get reps for the Goods, therefore an increasing chance that injury occurs in games that are over. Were the Ball State game in November, by the start of the third, everyone dressed should get a snap. Rest for the rotation.
All injuries to either teams are bad.
To me, a season ending injury while up 5 scores in the opener is the worst.

 

[chuck0303]

They won't have the athletes to line up and contain our offense. Tillman will likely top 200 yards if he wants, Jabari can run for 150 easily. Hooker puts this game away fast, and then we can watch Milton make low IQ plays

Let's not criticize Milton, he's the current backup quarterback & if Hooker gets hurt then Milton is the guy. Everyone makes mistakes--yes, even you. Let's also hope that Heupel & staff will bring along Milton's further development.

 

[JCVol00]

There is absolutely ZERO reason to worry about teams like this anymore.

We said that about georgia state and look what happened

 

[TheVolsFrog]

Let's not criticize Milton, he's the current backup quarterback & if Hooker gets hurt then Milton is the guy. Everyone makes mistakes--yes, even you. Let's also hope that Heupel & staff will bring along Milton's further development.

If we get up. I want to see him play. I'm curious to see if CJH and staff got that lightbulb to turn on. His passes did look a lot better at the end of the season.
But if Milton does get that bulb turned on '23 gonna be a shootout for QB1