Ball State prepares for GMAC Bowl

MUNCIE, Ind. - This year's Ball State football team is the best the school has ever had and the Cardinals are in Alabama trying to make more school history by winning a bowl game. But the Cardinals will enter Tuesday night's GMAC Bowl without the man credited, at least partly, with their amazing season.

The Cardinals enter the postseason coming off a shocking December loss to Buffalo in the MAC Championship game. The loss snapped a 12-game winning streak and was the last game for then-head coach Brady Hoke. Hoke is now the head coach at San Diego State. Taking his place is a familiar face -- Stan Parrish, the Cardinals former offensive coordinator.

"I was a big part of the program, so was Brady. We are a lot alike with our passion for football," said Parrish.

The Cardinals are only looking forward and are focusing on winning the school's first bowl game. But they know it's not going to be easy. They are taking on a tough Tulsa team.

"Tulsa's a very athletic team, very fast team, very well-coached team," said Ball State quarterback Nate Davis. "We'll just go out there and play our hearts out."

That's all Cardinal fans can ask for.