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	Monday, August 14 Cardinals taking small steps to big improvement
	By George Porter Special to ESPN.com Ball State Cardinals 1999 record: 0-11 (0-8 MAC) Coach: Bill Lynch Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense) Outlook The good news about last season's 0-11 record for coach Bill Lynch is it can only get better. Of course, the big question is what does he to to make it better? Ball State is coming off its first winless season since 1951 when they went 0-6-1 and a key to improving from last year will be quarterback Brian Conn. Conn threw 11 interceptions in the last six games of the season in contrast to three in the first five games. Conn needs to be more consistent for the Cardinals to even have a chance of a winning season. Jermaine Jordan is the go-to guy at receiver. While his numbers weren't staggering last season -- 15 catches, 234 yards and two touchdowns -- he has shown signs of being able to make big plays. Nick Dunbar returns at tailback and will run behind four returning starters on the offensive line. Defensively, the secondary was the best in the league last season, allowing just 170 yards a game, but that's a bit misleading as Ball State's run defense was the worst, allowing 235 yards per game. Still, the secondary is the strength of the defense led by seniors Pete Smith and Chikosi Bell. The front seven, simply put, had to play better this season. Opposing running backs loved playing the Cardinals knowing they were likely to pad their stats a little bit. Ball State is hoping three returning starters on the line -- including Sunungura Rusununguko will do a better job of creating a push on the line. If they do that, watch out for returning LB Shaka Johnson, who is an all-MAC caliber player. Keep an eye on ... Shaka Johnson. If the line does it's job and keeps opposing teams from double-teaming Johnson, the 5-11, 225 pound linebacker will have a monster season. It's a good season if ... Brian Conn can produce and the experienced defense plays better.That and an easier schedule might get the Cardinals anywhere from three or six wins, but will it be enough to save Lynch's job?		AROUND THE MAC Akron Ball St. Bowling Green Buffalo Central Mich. Eastern Mich. Kent Marshall Miami (Ohio) Northern Illinois Ohio Toledo Western Mich. ALSO SEE Marshall plan is reloading, not rebuilding