The 2020 Ball State Cardinals finished 7-1 and ranked No. 23 in the final AP Poll in a historic season for the program. The lone blemish on an otherwise perfect résumé? Ball State fell to the Miami RedHawks by a touchdown on the MAC’s opening week in November.
Revenge was on Ball State’s mind as the last two MAC champions moved the site of the Red Bird Rivalry to Muncie, IN. However, the RedHawks flew higher by a touchdown once again, upending the Cardinals 24-17 to spoil their 3-game winning streak. Since the Red Bird Rivalry trophy was officially sanctioned in 2017, Miami has claimed the hardware four times in five meetings.