After eight consecutive losing seasons, it’s difficult to imagine the Cyclones becoming complacent or overlooking an opponent, even after a victory as big as the 27-9 shocker over the University of Iowa on Saturday.

However, it may be difficult for Iowa State to take seriously the Cardinals of Ball State, their competition this weekend at Jack Trice Stadium.

After outplaying an overrated Hawkeye team, the Cyclones face the 0-2 Cardinals, who have struggled in their first two games against the mediocre likes of South Carolina (38-20) and Eastern Michigan (13-7).

To put the ability level of Ball State into better perspective, consider that the same Eastern Michigan team that bested them at home on Saturday lost the weekend before. Their opponents: the Northern Iowa Panthers.

The Cardinals, however, are not without talent.

Junior quarterback Jake Josetti returns after a decent sophomore season, in which he started all 11 games and passed for 1,569 yards, including a career-best 229 against the Indiana Hoosiers.

So far this season, Josetti has been average at best. He has completed 13-of-25 passes for only 210 yards and two interceptions.

The primary offensive threat of the Cardinals is their running game. Senior LeAndre Moore leads the charge, after piling up 2,171 yards over the past three years.

Ball State will feature Moore in their backfield, but will continue to rely on a three-tailback rotation, giving senior James Terrell and sophomore Kevin Cartwright considerable playing time.

The three combined for 284 yards and four TDs in their first two games, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Last year, the trio averaged 4.8 yards per carry, but struggled in contests against non-MAC opponents like Indiana. Against the Hoosiers, Moore, Terrell and Cartwright only managed 77 yards on 27 carries (2.9 yards per rush).

The Cardinal offensive line returns four starters from last season and is anchored by senior Eric Lows. The starters are fundamentally sound but average only 264 pounds and have been knocked around in ’98.

Manuel Compas and Adrian Reese bring experience to the wideout positions.

On defense, the Cardinals will try to make do with a rag-tag group that includes only two returning starters from 1997.

Ernest Pressley returns to the weakside linebacker position that he held last year. Pressley ranked third on the ’97 Cardinals in tackles with 94 and currently leads the ’98 group with 26.

Jamaican-born middle linebacker Marlon Llewellyn has been the other bright spot for the Cardinal “D” so far, totaling 22 tackles in the first two weeks.

Ball State’s four-man defensive line is anchored by its only other returning starter, defensive tackle Damon Hummel. The 273-pound senior had a breakthrough year in 1996, garnering All-Mid American Conference First Team honors, but his numbers fell off somewhat in ’97.

So far in 1998, Hummel has been a virtual non-factor in the Cardinals’ consecutive losses.

The remainder of the line lacks experience and has been very ineffective so far this season against both the run and pass.

Missing from last year’s line is solid sack-man Sunungura Rusununguko, who will miss all of 1998 due to off-season back surgery.

The Cardinal defensive backfield is another sore spot for the team this year.

The secondary did not return a single starter from last year but does feature several players with game-experience.

Unfortunately for Ball State, that experience hasn’t proven effective so far.

Senior corner Karl Moore and company have given up 449 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in their first two games.

On special teams, Ball State has performed adequately.

Punter Michael Tinder is averaging only 41.5 yards per kick and kicker Thomas Pucke has missed a PAT kick and his only field goal attempt of the season, but the returners are playing well and the specialists have already managed to block a punt and a field goal.

If the Cyclones play anywhere near as well as they did against the Hawkeyes, Ball State should not pose much of a threat. The Cardinals have some talent, but don’t match up to Iowa State on either side of the ball.