The game Ball State didn't want to discuss all season finally has arrived. Immediately after the Cardinals won 31-16 at Miami on Nov. 11 to run their record to 10-0, they could finally turn their attention to a showdown Nov. 19 at Central Michigan for a game that could determine the Mid-American Conference West champion.

"Every week we've focused on the task at hand, which was the next team, but underneath it all Central Michigan has been lurking," Cardinals linebacker Bryant Haines said.

To Ball State's credit, they've kept themselves focused on that "next game" mentality despite the possibility for distractions. The Cardinals have been nationally ranked for more than a month, and they are among the chief contenders from non-BCS conferences for a bid to a BCS bowl game.

Ball State might have shown just a hint of distraction against Miami when it failed to score in the first quarter for only the second time all season. The Cardinals trailed for only the third time this year when Miami took a 3-0 lead in the second quarter.

But Ball State, which hasn't trailed at the end of a quarter all year, rallied for a 17-13 lead at halftime. The Cardinals never breathed easily until they scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to take a 31-16 lead.

SEASON RECAP

Ball State 48, Northeastern 14: The Cardinals broke ahead 31-7 by halftime, scoring TDs on their first four possessions in just 20 total plays. Nate Davis threw for 290 yards and WR Donte Love had 171 receiving yards.

Ball State 35, Navy 23: The Cardinals scored the final 14 points of the game to retake the lead and then seal the deal in front of a national television audience.

Ball State 41, Akron 24: Ball State rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in the conference opener for both schools.

Ball State 42, Indiana 20: MiQuale Lewis ran for 166 yards and four touchdowns, helping Ball State overcome the loss of receiver Dante Love to beat Indiana.

Ball State 41, Kent State 20: Opening MAC play without Love -- he was deemed out for the season with a serious back injury last week -- the Cardinals didn't seem to skip a beat. True freshman Briggs Orsbon caught 10 passes for 112 yards and TB MiQuale Lewis rushed for more than 100 yards for the fourth time in five games this season.

Ball State 31, Toledo 0: MiQuale Lewis rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns and Ball State broke away from a 3-0 game at the half to beat Toledo 31-0 to remain unbeaten.

Ball State 24, Western Kentucky 7: Nate Davis threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns as No. 25 Ball State overcame a slow start in its first game as a ranked team to beat Western Kentucky.

Ball State 38, Eastern Michigan 16: Nate Davis threw for 241 yards with two touchdowns and caught another pass for a score, as Ball State blitzed Eastern Michigan, 38-16

Ball State 45, Northern Illinois 14: Nate Davis picked apart the Mid-American Conference's top-ranked defense, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another, while MiQuale Lewis ran for 119 yards and a TD in a 45-14 victory.

Ball State 31, Miami (Ohio) 16: Nate Davis threw for a touchdown and ran for another in a quick-strike offense, and the 14th-ranked Cardinals stayed unbeaten by wearing down Miami (Ohio) for a 31-16 victory.

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