The Cardinals (-9) are ready to welcome their MAC counterpart Kent State Golden Flashes to Ball State. This afternoon game will get underway at 3:00 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action live on ESPN+.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
Kent State is a live dog and is currently getting 9 points in this Saturday MAC game. The Golden Flashes are also receiving +270 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are -350. Some decent live betting opportunities should be unveiled during the game.
The game’s line opened at -8 and the early action has shifted to the Cards.
The Golden Flashes are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.0 units so far. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 2-2. The Cardinals have lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 0-3.
The Golden Flashes are 1-3 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any MAC competition yet. The Cardinals are 1-3 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Golden Flashes came up short to Ole Miss 38-17 in a blowout where the defense allowed the Rebels to pass for 442 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 209 yards and three scores. Scottie Phillips was unstoppable for the Rebels in that one with 112 rushing yards and a score on 19 attempts, along with 44 yards and a score on two catches. On the offense, Woody Barrett completed 24 passes for 224 yards and one interception. Barrett (53 rushing yards on 19 attempts, one TD) also mounted the ground attack and was complemented by Justin Rankin (64 yards on 15 carries). Mike Carrigan (six receptions, 88 yards) and Antwan Dixon (six catches, 36 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
One game ago, Western Kentucky got the victory against this Ball State team by a score of 28-20. The Cards defense allowed the Hilltoppers to rush for 192 yards on 40 attempts, including two rush TDs. Lucky Jackson put up a good outing in the win for Western Kentucky, recording 91 yards and a score on eight catches. For Ball State, Riley Neal completed 27-of-45 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown. James Gilbert (41 rushing yards on 10 attempts) and Caleb Huntley (59 yards on 10 carries) mounted the running game while Justin Hall (nine receptions, 60 yards) and Riley Miller (eight catches, 112 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Kent State has run the ball on 53.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ball State has a rush percentage of 50.6 percent. The Golden Flashes have produced 182 rush yards per game and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Cards are totaling 202 rushing yards per game and have five total rush TDs.
It seems like the Cards may be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up only five sacks while the D-line has logged six sacks. The Golden Flashes offensive line has allowed 17 sacks and their defense has forced only 10 sacks.
The Golden Flashes offensive scheme has averaged 212 yards through the air overall and has five passing TDs so far. The Cards have recorded 236 pass yards per contest and also have five total pass scores.
Defensively, Kent State has let opponents run for an average of 213 yards and throw for 296 yards per game. The Ball State defense has allowed 217.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 184.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cards are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.56 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Flashes have allowed a whopping 8.65 ANY/A.
Offensively, Barrett is up to 650 passing yards on the year, and has completed 65-of-110 attempts with three scores through the air and four interceptions. Barrett’s got a 3.98 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.04 over the last two outings.
Mike Carrigan (147 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown this season), Antwan Dixon (84 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Jo-el Shaw (127 rush yards, three rush TDs, 33 receiving yards, one TD) have each played big roles lately.
In the host locker room, Riley Neal has managed to complete 73-of-125 passes for 724 yards, four TDs and two INTs. Neal’s ANY/A stands at 5.52 for the season and 5.44 over his last two games.
James Gilbert, Corey Lacanaria and Riley Miller have combined to account for 405 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the last two outings.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to face each other last year.
Free NCAA Betting Tip: Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Ball State Cardinals
SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Ball State
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Kent State has produced 4.18461538461538 yards per carry across its last three outings and 2.4 over its last two.
Ball State has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.8 over its past two.
The Ball State offense has lost one fumble this season while Kent State has lost four.
The Golden Flashes offense has created three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Cardinals have put up one such play.
The Kent State defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Ball State has given up one such play.
The Kent State offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Ball State has created six such runs.
The Golden Flashes defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cardinals have given up four such runs.
The Kent State defense has sacked opposing QBs 10 times this season. Ball State has produced six sacks.
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