The Bobcats of Ohio (-10) are ready to welcome their conference foe Ball State Cardinals to Peden Stadium. Kickoff for this showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Ball State Cardinals at Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
In this Thursday Mid-American game, Ohio is projected as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 10 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to lay down $400 to win $100 back on the Bobcats (-400). The Cardinals are getting +300 moneyline odds. Multiple good live betting scenarios could be unveiled during this game, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 62 points.
With the spread opening at -11 and the over/under set initially at 61.5, the betting odds have shifted a hair.
The Cardinals are down 1.4 units so far and 4-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-5. The Bobcats have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-3 ATS and have an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Cardinals are 3-5 straight up (SU), including 2-2 SU against conference opponents. The Bobcats are 4-3 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Cards will try to bounce back after a 42-20 loss to Eastern Michigan last week. Riley Neal completed only 21 passes on 39 attempts for 157 yards, as well as one TD and an interception. Neal (77 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) also led the running attack in the loss and was complemented by James Gilbert (41 yards on 13 carries). Justin Hall (10 receptions, 81 yards) and Riley Miller (four catches, 36 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties.
The Ohio Bobcats just earned a 49-14 win over Bowling Green. The team’s defense let the Falcons rush for 100 yards on 26 attempts. Scott Miller was a force to be reckoned with, recording 145 yards on six catches for Bowling Green. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed eight-of-12 passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns. A.J. Ouellette (81 yards on 14 rush attempts) and Maleek Irons (116 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the win as Andrew Meyer (three receptions, 52 yards, one TD) and Papi White (two catches, 92 yards, two TDs) led the pass-catching attack.
Ball State has run the ball on 49.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ohio has an overall rush percentage of 61.1 percent. The Cardinals have produced 186 rush yards/game (including 169 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 13 scores via handoffs this year. The Bobcats are putting up 208 rush yards per game (189 in conference) and have 17 total rushing TDs.
The Cards offense has logged 251 yards per contest in the air overall (266 per game against conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Bobcats have put up 248 pass yards per game (254.7 in the MAC) and have 15 total pass TDs.
Ball State should have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 192 yards and pass for 214 yards per game. The Ohio defense has allowed 311.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 154.4 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.71 to opposing QBs, while the Bobcats have given up an 8.07 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Neal has put up 1,658 yards on the year, and has completed 57 percent of his 294 attempts with nine passing scores and four interceptions. He’s got a 5.26 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.33 over the last two outings.
Look for a balanced attack offensively from Ball State in this one. Justin Hall, Riley Neal and James Gilbert have combined for 393 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last two outings.
Nathan Rourke has managed to complete 78-of-129 passes for 1,218 yards, 11 TDs and three INTs for Ohio. His ANY/A stands at 9.04 for the season and 12.47 over his last two outings.
Isiah Cox, Papi White and Maleek Irons have combined to account for 487 total yards and four touchdowns over the last two games.
These two MAC adversaries did not get a chance to play one another a year ago.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Ohio has lost nine fumbles this season while Ball State has let five get away.
The Ball State defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 18 times this year. Ohio has registered 13 sacks.
Ball State has produced 4.2 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.6 over its last two.
Ohio has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.3 over its past two.
In its last three matchups, Ohio is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Ball State’s last game was set at 45. The over cashed in the team’s 42-20 loss to Eastern Michigan.
Over its last three games, Ball State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Ohio’s previous game was set at 66.5. The under cashed in the team’s 49-14 win over Bowling Green.
Ohio has won four of its last five games SU, with a -3-point loss to Northern Illinois on October 13th representing its only defeat over that stretch.
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