On Saturday, the Cardinals will play their final home game in the 2014 campaign, and though most are ready to close the book on this football season, there is still significant things for which to play, most notably, a win for the seniors. Though an EMU blasting (and ultimately even an upset of BG next week) won’t completely eradicate the negativity of the first part of this season, it will do wonders to help bolster the argument that this season’s results are an aberration and not the expected norm without NFL talent on the roster.
The rationale for this season’s results are easy to pinpoint. Lost coordinators, lost personnel, a healthy dose of unhealthy injuries, and a steeper than expected learning curve for Coaches Lynch and Kelly have put the Cards at 3-7 and scrambling after a road loss to UMass that ended the Cards’ chances at .500 and a longshot bowl berth.
This Saturday’s contest, slated for a 2pm kickoff at Scheumann Stadium is your final chance to see Jahwan Edwards and a whole host of other seniors suit up for the Cardinals for the final time at home. Vegas puts the Cardinals at 17-point favorites, but the numbers we’re concerned about is the statistics. EMU and BSU by the numbers…
| NCAA Stat | BSU | EMU |
| Scoring Offense | 94th (24.6) |
127th (13.6) |
| Rushing Offense | 93rd (141.9) | 87th (146.4) |
| Passing Offense | 86th (208.7) | 126th(129.3) |
| Total Offense | 108th (350.6) | 126th (275.7) |
| Scoring Defense | 68th (27.2) | 121st (39.4) |
| Rushing Defense | 93rd (188.5) | 117th (229.2) |
| Passing Defense | 72nd (230.4) | 111th (274.0) |
| Total Defense | 82nd (418.9) | 122nd (503.2) |
| Sacks | 116th (12.0) | 120th (10.0) |
| Sacks Allowed | 19th (12.0) | 111th (30.0) |
| Turnover Margin | 26th (+6) | 123rd (-13) |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 96th (36.3%) | 111th (34.0%) |
| Opp. 3rd Down Conv. % | 93rd (42.1%) | 121st (48.5%) |
| Red Zone Conv. % | 39th (86.5%) | 128th (50.0%) |
| Opp. Red Zone Conv. % | 12th (71.7%) | 17th (73.1%) |
| Punting | 57th (41.6) | 55th (41.7) |
| Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game | 22nd (41.0) | 69th (54.0) |
I’ve been doing this a long time, and frankly, I can’t remember a more statistically overmatched team than EMU. The numbers above have little to do with BSU and everything to do with EMU. They’re bad. Real bad. Anything less than a Cardinal dominating win and I’m going to be a bit disappointed. It’s time to blow the stench of this season’s frustrations and missed opportunities out the door. 2pm. Scheumann Stadium. See you there.
Filed under: BallStateFootball, ByTheNumbers |
Over The Pylon 
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