Here are the keys for the Ball State Cardinals, as they go for their first MAC West title since the George W. Bush presidency.

With a MAC West title and a trip to Detroit for the MAC Championship at stake, Saturday’s game is the biggest one that Ball State has played in years.

As the Cardinals have heated up these past few weeks, it has been on the shoulders of field general Drew Plitt.

The redshirt senior from Loveland, Ohio, moved into a tie for fifth with his head coach Mike Neu on BSU’s career touchdown passes list with 43.

Martin, who entered the day sixth in the nation at 12.3 tackles per game, totaled nine total tackles, eight of which were solo, to go along with one sack and a tackle for loss.

Ball State moved to 4-1 on the season and is set to square off with 4-1 Western Michigan at Scheumann Stadium with a MAC West Championship on the line.

With a win today, the Cardinals would put themselves in position to win the MAC West title next week against Western Michigan.

This is an experienced defense that has seen a lot and been through a lot together. It’s do or die time for the Cardinals.