By Alan Gerould, Senior Columnist

This week takes on a different tone for the Western Michigan Football team after this past Saturday’s game versus Eastern Michigan in Kalamazoo. To say that its play was disappointing would be an understatement. The Broncos will have to get healthy and fix things in a hurry as they head into the last game of the season with an opportunity to win the MAC West Division Championship for the second year in a row. Last season they lost to Northern Illinois as a favorite. This year they head into Muncie, IN to face a supremely confident Ball State team as an underdog. We are pleased to welcome back Jordan Guskey who covers the team for The Star Press. Jordan you are now on the BroncoBlitz hot seat.

BroncoBlitz: Ball State Head Coach Mike Neu is in his fifth-season at the helm of the Ball State football program. It would seem that the perseverance by all involved to stay the course is finally paying dividends. Neu’s teams have shown improvement every year and now it seem they are on the verge of making it to “DOB” (Detroit or Bust). What is the level of excitement around Muncie, the campus and in the locker room about this season’s success?

Jordan Guskey: There's a lot of excitement, no question about it. From where the program was early on with Neu to where it is now is a huge jump, and something that's not lost on Neu or his players. And that's an excitement you can see around the athletic department and, had this not been a pandemic year, I would imagine you would have seen that excitement around the community turn into larger crowds on game days.

BroncoBlitz: Redshirt Senior quarterback Drew Plitt has taken his game to the next level. The offense has discovered some new weapons to supplement Plitt’s old favorites. Who are Plitt’s go to guys and what makes this offense chirp?

Jordan Guskey: Plitt has definitely improved as the season's gone on, but his go-to-guy (when healthy) is definitely Caleb Huntley. Huntley is one of the best running backs in the conference and has the potential to play in the NFL. Outside of that, at the wide receiver position the main three guys are Justin Hall, Antwan Davis and Yo'Heinz Tyler. All three are really reliable in the passing game and Hall is someone you have to worry about in the running game as well. And don't forget about guys like running backs Will Jones and Tye Evans, too, on top of fullback Cody Rudy. They've proved to be really effective this season as well.

BroncoBlitz: The Cardinal defense seems to be getting stronger as the season goes on as evidenced by how they shut down Central Michigan giving up a long touchdown run but otherwise bottling up the Chippewas. What makes the defense go and do they have any weaknesses?

Jordan Guskey: There's a lot of experience on this defense, and that's showing on the field. But while it was the secondary that seemed like it would be the strength of this defense this season, I think the front seven has proved to be the strength considering how BSU has done against the run and how it's done getting after the quarterback — things, of course, the secondary has played a part in as well. As for weaknesses, there is the potential that the defense can give up big plays and its passing defense is giving up the second-most yards per game in the conference. Still, though, as we've said it's improved as the season's gone on and can shut teams down on the scoreboard.

BroncoBlitz: Redshirt freshman kicker Jack Knight has been another bright spot for the Cardinals. Who else has distinguished themselves on special teams and what role do you think that segment will play on Saturday?

Jordan Guskey: I'm not sure there's one or two individuals I could point out in addition to him, but it seems like every game there's a few people who really stand out. And I think it could be a really key role when it comes to field position and, with field goals, who's able to get off the field with points and who'll leave them out on the field.

BroncoBlitz: So it comes down to 60 minutes of football for the opportunity to play in Detroit for all the MAC Football marbles. The Cardinals are flying high, the Broncos are smarting. Vegas has BSU favored by a couple of points. What do you think the keys to the game are Saturday and at the end of the day which team packs it’s bags for Ford Field and by what score?

Jordan Guskey: I think the key for Ball State offensively is if it can remain balanced, with or without Huntley, so that it's running game can get the looks it needs to be successful and the receivers get the coverages they need to get open for Plitt. If BSU does that, it'll put up points as it has all season. On the other side of the ball, I think the Cardinals need to continue to get after the quarterback as they have at times this year and try to make WMU one-dimensional. Also, the turnover battle, obviously. And I'm going to punt on a score and win prediction, it's 2020 and anything could happen, but I think it'll be an interesting one to watch.