The Ball State Cardinals and Miami (OH) RedHawks are set to collide on the turf at Fred C. Yager Stadium. The matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and ESPN+ will broadcast the action.
Ball State Cardinals at Miami (OH) RedHawks Betting Preview
The Cardinals have gained 0.5 units so far in 2018 and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a decent under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 4-6. The RedHawks are up 0.9 units this season. The team is 7-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 6-5.
The Cardinals have gone 4-7 straight up (SU), including 3-4 SU against MAC opponents. The RedHawks are 5-6 SU overall and 5-2 SU in conference play.
The Cards just put together a 42-41 victory over Western Michigan last week. The Cards defense allowed the Broncos to run for 361 yards on 67 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. On the offensive side of the ball, Drew Plitt completed 21 passes on 26 attempts for 258 yards, three scores and two interceptions. James Gilbert (45 rushing yards on 11 attempts, two TDs) led the running attack. Justin Hall (nine receptions, 117 yards) and Riley Miller (five catches, 94 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Miami (OH) just earned a 13-7 win over Northern Illinois. Gus Ragland completed 15-of-24 passes for 107 yards. Alonzo Smith (40 rushing yards on 18 attempts) spearheaded the running game while Jack Sorenson (seven receptions, 77 yards) and Nate Becker (two catches, five yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Ball State has run the ball on 48.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Miami (OH) has a rush percentage of 52.0 percent. The Cardinals have run for 157 yards per game (including 131 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 18 scores on the ground this year. The RedHawks are putting up 141 rush yards per game (177 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the RedHawks should hold an advantage when it comes to quarterback protection. Their offensive line has given up just 17 sacks while the D-line has registered 25 sacks. The Cardinals offensive line has allowed 23 sacks and their defense has logged only 18 sacks.
The Cards offensive scheme has averaged 254 yards through the air overall (265 per game versus conference opposition) and has 16 passing TDs so far. The RedHawks have put up 217 pass yards per contest (207.9 in the MAC) and also have 16 total pass scores.
Defensively, Ball State has allowed 228 rush yards and 215 pass yards per game. The Miami (OH) defense has given up 205.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 161.2 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.64 to opponents, while the RedHawks have given up a 6.36 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Plitt has amassed 493 yards on the year. He’s completed 71 percent of his 55 attempts with four passing scores and four interceptions. He has a 6.02 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.54 over the last two outings.
Expect Plitt to distribute the football early and often in this one. Justin Hall (469 receiving yards), Riley Miller (706 yards, five TDs) and Corey Lacanaria (469 yards, three TDs) have all been heavily involved recently.
For the home team, Gus Ragland has completed 195-of-323 passes for 2,189 yards, 15 TDs and three INTs. Ragland’s ANY/A stands at 6.80 for the season and 4.35 over his past two games.
We’re expecting the RedHawks to control tempo by getting the ball into the hands of their running backs. Jack Sorenson (670 receiving yards, two TDs) has chipped in lately, but Kenny Young (292 rush yards, three rush TDs, 317 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) and Alonzo Smith (445 rush yards, four rush TDs) have really been focal points in the Miami (OH) offense.
These two teams faced off last year with the final result being a 28-7 victory for Miami (OH).
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Ball State Cardinals vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
SU Winner – Miami (OH)
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Miami (OH) D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 25 times this season. Ball State has recorded just 18 sacks.
Miami (OH) has lost five fumbles in 2018 while the Ball State offense has lost 10.
The Cardinals offense has tallied five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the RedHawks have accounted for three such plays.
The Ball State defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Miami (OH) has given up four such plays.
The Ball State offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Miami (OH) has created 14 such runs.
The Cardinals defense has allowed 14 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the RedHawks have given up 12 such runs.
The O/U for Miami (OH)’s last game was set at 48. The under cashed in the 13-7 win over Northern Illinois.
Over its last three games, Miami (OH) is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matches, Ball State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Ball State’s last game was 58.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-41 victory over Western Michigan.
Ball State has rushed for 2.8 yards per attempt over its last three games and 2.6 over its last two.
Miami (OH) has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.3 over its past two.
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