Ball State head coach Mike Neu instilled in his team long ago that just making it to Detroit was not good enough. He wanted his team to go in Friday night and finish the job that had been in the works for the previous 12 months.

There’s been no larger game for the Ball State Cardinals than tonight’s MAC Championship. With dueling five-game win streaks, the Cardinals have a shot at their first MAC title since 1996.

Friday’s meeting at Ford Field will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two schools. The Cardinals own a 9-2 lead, but are 0-1 on a neutral field — 2008 in Detroit.

After this statement performance, it is time to acknowledge Justin Hall as the bona-fide superstar he is.

After one of the wildest endings to a football game you’ll ever see, Ball State (5-1) is headed to Detroit to take on Jaret Patterson and the No. 23 Buffalo Bulls (5-0).

Ball State’s motto this year has been Detroit or Bust, and with the season’s aspirations on the line, Justin Hall delivered the best performance of his storied collegiate career.

Ball State clinched the MAC West Division title with its fifth straight victory and will play in the MAC Championship game Friday.

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