Eleven months ago, this matchup transpired on the Mid-American Conference’s grandest stage in Detroit. That December night, Ball State shocked Buffalo 38-28 to win the program’s first MAC title since 1996. Both the Cardinals and Bulls finished the 2020 season ranked in the final AP Poll for the first time in their respective histories to conclude the memorable year.
This season, there will be no highly-anticipated rematch in Detroit. Instead, Ball State and Buffalo move the scene to Muncie, IN on a Tuesday night for the regular season finale. Stakes are still present, however. Buffalo was eliminated from bowl contention and clinched its first losing season since 2016, but Ball State is vying for its second straight bowl bid.