Ball State at Western Kentucky College Football Picks & Predictions 9/23/2017

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Houchens-Smith Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Ball State Cardinals head to Houchens-Smith Stadium to play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday, September 23, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Western Kentucky as 5 point favorites. The total has been set at 53. The Cardinals are 2-1-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 1-2-0. The Hilltoppers are 0-3-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 0-3-0.

Valuable Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 1-2-0 against the over/under

The Ball State Cardinals are 2-1-0 against the spread

Important Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Trends

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 0-3-0 against the over/under

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 0-3-0 against the spread

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

09/18/17 LB Jacob White Hand is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. Western Kentucky
09/17/17 RB James Gilbert Knee injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Western Kentucky
09/17/17 WR Jordan Hogue Back "?" Saturday vs. Western Kentucky
09/17/17 OL Vinnie Palazeti Knee injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Western Kentucky
09/14/17 OL Alex Joss ACL out indefinitely

Key Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Injuries

09/17/17 RB D'Andre Ferby Ankle missed last game, "?" Saturday vs. Ball State
09/17/17 DL Derik Overstreet Targeting Suspension expected to miss 1st Half Saturday vs. Ball State
09/17/17 RB Quinton Baker Undisclosed injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. Ball State
08/05/17 DB De'Andre Simmons ACL out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Ball State Cardinals are 46th in the country in points scored with 100. They have run 225 plays this year for 1,226 yards, which ranks them 66th in Division 1 in total offense. The Cardinals average 5.4 yards per play, which is 90th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 65 1st downs this season, ranking them 48th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Ball State has run for 567 yards as a unit, which ranks 47th in college football. They've run 125 times, averaging 4.5 yards per rush as a unit. The Cardinals have been penalized on offense 10 times for 106 yards so far this year, which has them 117th in the country in penalties. Riley Neal has passed for 659 yards this year. He's completed 67 throws while attempting 99 passes for a completion percentage of 67.7%. His quarterback rating this season is 137.5. He averages 6.5 adjusted yards per throw and 6.7 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Ball State is 67th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 68. They have given up a total of 1,075 yards on D, which is 71st in D-1. The Cardinals are 78th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Opponent offenses have completed 44 throws on 78 attempts against the Ball State Cardinals defense this season, ranking them 39th and 39th in the nation. The Ball State pass defense has also surrendered a total of 552 yards in the air, which is 48th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 112 attempts for 523 yards this season, putting them in 98th place in the country against the run. The Cardinals have had 15 penalties for 141 yards on defense this year. That places them 55th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Ball State is 32nd in the country in punt returns with 6. They've totaled 87 punt return yards and average 14.5 yards per return, which is 19th in D-1. They have returned 5 kicks for 192 yards on special teams, which puts them 38th in kick return yardage. The Cardinals average 38 yards per kick return and they are 47th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,505. The Ball State Cardinals have tried 4 field goals this year and made 1, which is 107th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 25%. Ball State Cardinals kickers have made 93% of their extra points, going 13 for 14 this season. Their punters have accumulated 374 yards on 9 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That ranks them 67th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Hilltoppers have run for 257 yards as a team, which ranks 116th in college football. They've run 97 times, averaging 2.6 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have been penalized on offense 17 times for 147 yards so far this season, which has them 69th in the country in penalties. They are 105th in the nation in points scored with 60. They have run 206 plays this season for 985 yards, which ranks them 53rd in Division 1 in total offense. Western Kentucky averages 4.8 yards per play, which is 111th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 57 1st downs this year, placing them 83rd overall as an offensive unit. Mike White averages 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 6.4 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 73 passes on 109 attempts for a completion percentage of 67%. His quarterback rating this year is 124.3. He has thrown for 728 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers rush defense has allowed 102 attempts for 340 yards this year, putting them in 48th place in D-1 against the run. Western Kentucky has committed 17 penalties for 185 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 85th in college football. They are 53rd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 60. They have surrendered a total of 1,073 yards on D, which is 70th in the country. The Hilltoppers are ranked 49th in yards per play allowed with 5. Opposing offenses have completed 65 passes on 112 attempts against the Western Kentucky defense this season, placing them 95th and 107th in Division 1. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers pass defense has also given up a total of 733 yards through the air, which is 84th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have attempted 2 field goals this season and made 1, which is 119th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 50%. Western Kentucky kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 7 for 7 this year. Their punters have totaled 538 yards on 15 punts, averaging 36 yards per punt. That places them 124th in Division 1 in punting average. Western Kentucky is ranked 61st in the nation in punt returns with 5. They've accumulated 7 punt return yards and average 1.4 yards per return, which is 108th in college football. They have returned 8 kicks for 139 yards on special teams, ranking 76th in kick return yardage. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers average 17 yards per kick return and they are 99th in the country in all-purpose yards with 1,131.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Hilltoppers college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers -5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink