Illini look to be on the ball today

If Michigan discovered any secrets to beating Illinois, then you can bet Ball State knows them, too.

In the eight years prior to being hired at his alma mater in 2003, Ball State boss Brady Hoke served as one of Lloyd Carr's assistant coaches.

"I talk to the head coach at least once a week -- he's a friend," Hoke said. "I don't know what the ethics are, but I don't think it's a problem (to ask for tips on beating Illinois). Don't think Illinois isn't calling Western Michigan or Western Kentucky this week."

To be fair, as Illinois and Ball State battle today at Memorial Stadium (11 a.m., Big Ten Network) to become bowl eligible, the keys to knocking off the Illini aren't exactly secrets.

Step 1: Throw the ball early and often.

Step 2: Force Illinois to throw the ball early and often.

Step 3: Hope the youthful Illini commit enough mistakes to make your job easier.

Ball State (5-3) has the talent to take Step 1 and climb it all the way to a victory.

Sophomore quarterback Nate Davis, who came out of high school the same year as Illinois' Juice Williams but with one-tenth the hype and collegiate interest, has been nothing short of super.

Davis' pass efficiency rating of 142.2 reflects his 20-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio but doesn't acknowledge his ability to scramble when necessary.

"He reminds me of a more athletic quarterback than the guy (Missouri's Chase Daniel) that we faced in the first game with his release and accuracy," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "He is another perfect example of recruiting. There is no exact science to recruiting."

While Davis seems likely to light up Illinois' inconsistent secondary and fulfill Step 1, it will far tougher for Ball State to make Step 2 come true.

The Cardinals rank 111th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams as they surrender 214.9 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns per game.

That's great news to the Illini, who were limited to 137 rushing yards in each of their last two games.

But Williams doesn't want everyone assuming it will be easy for the Illini to line up, blow up Ball State's defense and ride Rashard Mendenhall's legs to victory.

"From what I've seen, they're very aggressive," said Williams, referring to Ball State's defenders. "They fly to the ball. They look to make big plays whenever they have the opportunity. Those guys come up and hit you. They play physical.

"It's going to take a lot for this offense to come out Saturday to overcome all that."

As for Step 3, who knows whether the Illini are done with the dumb and untimely 15-yard penalties -- not to mention the turnovers -- that undid their upset bid of Michigan.

"The one thing to be a great program is that your special teams have to be consistent every game," Zook said. "You can't have a mistake here or a mistake there. We had some mistakes we haven't had in the past."

Ball State (5-3) at Illinois (5-3)

When: 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium

TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: WIND 560-AM

Series: First meeting

Coaches: Brady Hoke (20-34, fifth year at Ball State); Ron Zook (9-22, third year at Illinois; 32-26 overall)

Players to watch: Ball State sophomore quarterback Nate Davis already owns a single-season, school-record 20 touchdown passes. Many of those go to top receiving threat Dante Love, who caught 10 passes for 214 yards at Nebraska earlier in the year. Libertyville's Chris Miller leads the nation in punting average (47.2).

Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall has gone two straight games without hitting the 100-yard mark or the end zone. But Ball State's porous rush defense means Mendenhall should rack up big yards today. Quarterbacks Juice Williams and Eddie McGee both are expected to play multiple series, though Williams gets his 18th consecutive start.

The skinny: For the third week in a row, Illinois seeks the victory that would make it bowl eligible for the first time since the 2001 season. Ball State's definitely capable of earning its first win over a BCS conference school since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1975, thanks mostly to an offense that ranks 18th nationally in passing yards as well as total yards.