Ball State coach Brady Hoke doesn't care what his team's season-opening game looks like on paper. He's been disappointed too many times in the past with his team's performances against opponents who appeared to be overmatched.

The Cardinals open their highly anticipated 2008 season at home Aug. 28 against Football Championship Series foe Northeastern, and few observers expect them to be challenged. But Hoke doesn't want to hear any talk that his team is superior.

"When I watch Northeastern on tape, they're a competitive, hard, tough, gritty football team," Hoke said. "They're going to compete, and we have to compete. There are no tune-ups, believe me."

Hoke knows that all too well.

Just two years ago, Division I-AA North Dakota State came to Ball State and won 29-24.

Last year, the Cardinals seemingly had all the incentive in their season-opener at home against archrival Miami. Ball State was playing for the first time in its renovated Scheumann Stadium, and the fan base was stoked about what it perceived would be a turnaround season for their team.

Ball State laid an egg, scoring just one touchdown and losing 14-13 to Miami.

"Last year, we didn't have the mental edge we have right now," Hoke said. "We know upsets are in the minds of the favorites."

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