Both the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Ball State Cardinals have had their ups and downs this season. Kent State made it to Cleveland because of a buzzer beating win over NIU. The Cardinals limped into the bye after losing their last 3 regular season games after winning 5 in a row.
Both teams entered the season with talent, but lost program hall of fame caliber players. The Cardinals have performed better, including some heroic wins. They played an absolutely brutal non-conference schedule. However, the two teams split their regular season match-ups, with the home team winning each.