The Cardinals are ready to host their MAC counterpart Western Michigan Broncos in Ball State. Kickoff for this showdown is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET and ESPN2 has the TV rights.
Western Michigan Broncos at Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
The Broncos have gained 1.0 unit so far in 2018 and are 3-7 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-4. The Cardinals are down 2.5 units this season. The team is 4-6 ATS and owns an O/U record of 3-6.
The Broncos have gone 6-4 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against conference opponents. The Cardinals are 3-7 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
The Broncos came up short to Ohio 59-14 in a blowout where their defense allowed the Bobcats to rush for 256 yards on 41 attempts, including four rush TDs. On the offensive side of the ball, Kaleb Eleby completed just 10-of-19 passes for 152 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Chase Brown (just 52 rushing yards on 15 attempts) led the running attack while D’Wayne Eskridge (three receptions, 50 yards) and Jayden Reed (two catches, 13 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Ball State just fell 45-13 to Toledo back in Week 10. Drew Plitt completed 29-of-47 passes for 355 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Will Jones (49 yards on 12 rush attempts) and Malik Dunner (48 yards on 10 carries, one TD) mounted the running game as Justin Hall (10 receptions, 92 yards) and Riley Miller (five catches, 106 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Western Michigan’s run the ball on 58.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ball State has a rush percentage of 48.3 percent. The Broncos have rushed for 200 yards/game (including 183 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 23 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cards are logging 167 rushing yards per game (143 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.
It appears that the Broncos could own an edge along both the offensive and defensive fronts, as their offensive line has yielded only 22 sacks while the D-line registered 20 sacks. The Cardinals O-line has allowed 33 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 24 occasions.
The Broncos offense has logged 244 yards/contest in the air overall (243 per game versus conference opposition) and has 19 passing scores so far. The Cards have produced 253 pass yards per game (264.2 in the MAC) and have 13 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Western Michigan has allowed 187 rush yards and 210 pass yards per game. The Ball State defense has allowed 217.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 215.1 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.50 to opponents, while the Broncos have given up a 7.92 ANY/A.
Offensively, Eleby is up to 152 passing yards this season, and has connected on 53 percent of his 19 attempts with one passing scores and two interceptions. Eleby’s got a 3.52 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.96 over the past two outings.
In the home locker room, Drew Plitt has connected on 38-of-59 passes for 504 yards, two TDs and three INTs. Plitt’s ANY/A stands at 5.95 for the season and 4.01 across his last two outings.
These two teams met last year with the final result being a 55-3 win for Western Michigan.
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SU Winner – Western Michigan
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Ball State has lost 10 fumbles this season while Western Michigan has lost eight.
Each team defense has created 18 sacks this season.
Western Michigan has produced 4.2 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.3 over its last two.
Ball State has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.2 over its past two.
In its last three matches, Ball State is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Western Michigan’s last game was set at 64.5. The over cashed in the team’s 59-14 defeat to Ohio.
In its last three games, Western Michigan is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Ball State’s last match was set at 64. The under cashed in that 45-13 defeat to Toledo.
Ball State has lost five of its last six games SU, with a one-point triumph over Central Michigan on October 13th accounting for its only win over that stretch.
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