Where: Scheumann Stadium (22,500/FieldTurf), Muncie

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 1380 AM

Line: Ball State by 11

Records: Ball State 11-0, 7-0 MAC; Western Michigan 9-2, 6-1

Series: Western Michigan leads 19-15

NCAA offensive ranking: Ball State - 12th, 456.1 ypg; Western Michigan - 22nd, 429.9 ypg

NCAA defensive ranking: Ball State - 57th, 350.9 ypg; Western Michigan - 85th, 384.7 ypg

KEY MATCHUP

MiQuale Lewis vs.

Western Michigan defense

Nate Davis' four touchdown passes certainly helped. But when the Cardinals needed to eat clock in the fourth quarter at Central Michigan last week, it was Lewis who answered the call, lugging it for 89 of his career-high 177 yards and greatly facilitating Ball State's crunch-time rally. Lewis, who has a school-record nine 100- yard games and has scored 17 touchdowns this year, goes up against a Western Michigan run defense that ranks 52nd in the country and has surrendered only 14 touchdowns and 137 yards per game. Who wins that battle will go a long way toward determining who wins on the scoreboard.

Keep an eye on ...

Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller

For the second week in a row, the Ball State defense will be tested by an elite quarterback. Dan LeFevour bent but didn't break it last week; now comes Hiller, who ranks 15th in the nation in passing efficiency, completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 3,382 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Ball State wins if ...

It doesn't get ahead of itself

In some ways, this is a bigger test than Central Michigan was last week, because every bit as much is riding on it, and Ball State is coming off such a hugely emotional win. But Western actually looks more dangerous than the Chippewas and includes among its nine victories a win over Illinois.

What you should know

History likes 'em

Ball State has gotten used to riding shotgun with history in its march to 11-0. And coming in against Western, history's on the Cardinals' side again. Although the Broncos lead the overall series, the Cardinals have won three of the last four meetings, and five of the last seven.

bensmith@jg.net