Ball State hasn't won the Mid-American Conference championship in 12 years, but it will enter this season as a serious threat to Central Michigan's two-year reign on the top spot.

"Guys are ready to go," Cardinals tight end Darius Hill told the Muncie (Ind.) Star Press. "We're trying to win every game this year; we don't want to lose to anybody.

"To us, our season's a failure if we don't win the MAC championship and win a bowl game. Guys are all feeling the same way. We're really hungry to go out and get it."

The Cardinals have the firepower on offense to fulfill those goals. They ranked as one of the most potent offenses in the MAC last season and return starters in every position.

The main questions will be with the defense and short-yardage running game.

Ball State's defense made improvements each of the past two seasons, and another step forward, especially against the run, will be needed this year in order to win the title.

The Cardinals' short-yardage running game was a problem throughout last year, to the point of likely costing them a win against Miami. Improving that aspect was an emphasis during spring practice, but Ball State still showed problems in that area in the spring game.

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