...I think that is possible. Ball State is fortunate to have left this game undefeated, let alone be 10-0 on the season. They just haven't beaten anybody that would justify them being ranked this high. They have a Top 20 offense--maybe, but that defense is an average MAC defense. Put them on a Big 10 schedule and they are probably 5-5, or worse, based on the fact that they would be getting beat up and worn down week after week. Miami falls to 2-8--an odd off year for them, despite the presence of some talent and some senior leadership. All-world Jr. QB Nate Davis of BSU looked pretty average for most of this one, and was actually outplayed much of the game by the formerly-benched Daniel Raudaubagh (#12, Jr., 6'3", 223) who was in a statement game, but still has no clue in the red zone.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Ball State Conference: Mid-American Columnist: Sam Maxwell

Bryant Haines 49 6' 5.0" 223 0.00 LB 2009: Long and lean, pass-defending OLB. Wraps OK, but needs help bringing big people to turf. OK pass defender. Pile inspects at times. Must add bulk to his frame...looks shorter than 6'5" though. OK at POA despite that weight. Gets to more collisons, than he makes tackles. Like the growth potential, but I wouldn't waste a draft pick. GRADE: Slightly negative

Darius Hill 88 6' 6.0" 236 4.70 TE 2009: A poor man's Mercedes Lewis...but not that poor. May be Lewis's equal already as a receiver. Gives good effort blocking --especially away from the LOS. Definitely NOT an in-line blocker, but he is used that way at times in this offense. Can chip in and help there, but will not do anything to a big DE one-on-one. Hustles. Shakes off the chuck in the first five yards and gets open. Snatches. Really impressed me on one play when he came all the way across the field to throw a block on a long run by Miquale Lewis. GRADE: Slightly positive

Nate Davis 13 6' 1.7" 217 4.80 QB 2009: First good long look at Nate in awhile. He's better. Not flashy today. Didn't even throw in the first drive. Not running today, but didn't need to. I think they are protecting him completely for bigger days. Very quick release. Overhead release which makes him taller. Accurate short. Ball explodes out of his hand. In shotgun a lot. Displayed a real nice touch twice. QB, not a thrower who can run. Really showed me something with a deep out he laid just over the defender. Probably still only a 3-4th round guy because he isn't 6'5", 230, but he's got the talent to compete for a starting job on most teams that might draft him. Didn't display the long ball, but Darius Hill is not a long ball guy, really, and neither is anybody else on the roster now that Dante Love's career is over. GRADE: Slightly positive

Dante Love 86 5' 10.0" 179 0.00 WR 2009: Suffered career ending spinal injury and is acting as an assistant WR coach, but walking well. Would have been a 3-4th rounder.

Brandon Crawford 90 6' 3.0" 260 0.00 DE 2010: 32-year old former Marine who they call "Craw Daddy." Didn't pay close attention because he's a junior and has no NFL future. Didn't grab my attention with anything either. Gets turned sideways and loses. Initial collision force is OK. Decent power for size. Uses club move effectively. Neutralized much of the afternoon by sneaky holds. GRADE: Neutral

Dan Gerberry 52 6' 2.5" 292 5.20 C 2009: Very seasoned and steady. 45-game starter. Part of a team. Doesn't really stand out negatively or positively. Pulls well. Not a real short-yardage killer. Loses the initial contact battle too often. Plays to his size, and he's not real big. Gives up too much ground in pass pro, and these weren't the NY Giants he was facing. GRADE: Slightly negative


College: Miami (OH) Conference: Mid-American Columnist: Sam Maxwell

Jake Richardson 4 6' 0.0" 205 4.90 P 2009: Punted for 51 yards in second half. Not enough reps to judge. Looks quick. GRADE: Incomplete.

Joey Hudson 48 6' 2.0" 232 4.80 LB 2009: Try hard coach's LB. Good kid and gives everything until the tank is dry. They said he was playing better in the early part of the season and that he has been wearing down, and I can believe it. Still got a lot done, but looked tired. Leader and gets involved all the time. Struggles to disengage from the OG on the 2nd level. Very solid coverage instincts with 8 career ints, and had one today that showed me he has the instincts and athleticism to be effective as a coverage LB. Doubt he's 6'2"...if he is, he'll go camping. GRADE: Neutral

Tom Crabtree 80 6' 4.2" 244 4.85 TE 2009: Solid guy who would have been talked about as a first-day TE 20 years ago. Bit of a throwback...size-wise and attitude wise. Hits well. Lines up in the backfield and comes up to block like a FB. Usually hits what he is aiming at and usually moves it. Physical. Nearly stalemated with BC most of the day. Snatches too, and had 3 catches. Dropped one that was at his knees that he didn't get down for. I wouldn't dratf him, but I'd be on the phone with the idea I could get him to 255-260 and stash him somewhere. Strikes me as a possible late bloomer type. Kick butt type. GRADE: Positive

Dustin Woods 1 5' 11.0" 187 4.50 WR 2010: Flashes potential. Didn't focus that much on him, because there is no way on God's green earth he is declaring. I think he had 5 catches. Looks like a good slot guy.

Robbie Wilson 6 6' 0.0" 204 4.44 S 2009: A revelation. Strong and smart. Tough and FAST. One of the faster kids on the Miami squad and gets my defensive game ball. Good hitter who is productive and chases down RBs from behind. Average Showed me some coverage too, even at SS. GRADE: Positive

OTHER NOTES:

Miami: #34 Thomas Meriweather had an OK game at RB, especially early on.

Daniel Raudabaugh can play if he can get the mental part worked out. The physical tools are there, and he throws like a MAC QB...and that is saying something.


Ball State:

Both their corners are decent. #3 B.J. Hill, a 5'7", 180 senior really impressed the heck out of me...but there's just no way. Trey Buice is a senior too, but...eh, not quite database impressive...

Junior RB Miquale Lewis is 5'7" in his high heels, but he's got some stuff. A poor man's Maurice J-D. Low COG gives him an advantage when the collisions come. Bounces off tacklers. Will catch. Can take a hit.

Junior safety Alex Knipp (#38--pronounced "ka-nip") is their best defensive player. Pretty darned instinctive.

I think Nate Davis is special and will be a solid pro starter for years, Daniel Raudaubagh reminds me of early Kerry Collins. Darius Hill reminds me of Billy Miller and Miquale Lewis has some "Stump" Mitchell in him. Robbie Wilson was a revelation is he draftable and where does he fit?

He's a 6-7th round talent who probably will be a UDFA because he's probably been under-scouted. Nickel back.