Ball State (3-3, 1-1 MAC) earned its first Mid-American Conference win last week and travels to Eastern Michigan (4-2, 1-1 MAC) Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.
After starting 1-3, the Cardinals have won two straight games — most recently a dominating 45-20 win over Western Michigan — while Eastern Michigan is off to its second 4-2 start in three years.
The winner of this game will give itself some separation in the MAC West Division, which currently has a five-way tie for second place while Northern Illinois (4-2, 2-0 MAC) leads the way.
Here are five things to watch Saturday in Ypsilanti, Michigan:
Keeping up the pressure
Ball State's defensive pressure has been a big reason for its success the past two weeks.