Ball State vs Kent State NCAA Football Tips 11/23/2019

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Kent State Golden Flashes

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019

Week 13

Location: Dix Stadium in Kent, OH

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Kent State +3.5

Total/Over-Under: 65

Dustin Crum and the Kent State Golden Flashes host the Ball State Cardinals at Dix Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Kent State opens this contest as 3.5-point underdogs. The Cardinals are 6-4-0 ATS and 5-5-0 when betting on the total. The Golden Flashes are 5-5-0 when wagering on the over/under and 6-4-0 against the spread.

In their last game, the Ball State Cardinals went up against the Central Michigan Chippewas and lost 45-44. Running the show from under center for the Cardinals was Drew Plitt who went 14/25 with 268 yards passing and completed 3 touchdowns. He threw 1 interception in the game. Walter Fletcher paced the team on the ground for the game. He had a long run of 49 yards but he never crossed the endzone by way of the rush. He racked up a total of 115 yards via 15 carries which means he ran for an average of 7.7 yards per run. Justin Hall led the team in receiving yardage by racking up 95 yards on 4 receptions. He notched an average of 23.8 yards per reception for the game. The Cardinals ended up rushing 47 times and added 231 yards which earned them an average of 4.9 yards per attempt. In all, they ran 72 plays which gave them a total of 499 yards. For the game, the Cardinals had a total of 22 first downs and they had 8 penalties for 101 yards which shows us how undisciplined this team can be. When it comes to their defensive performance, Ball State allowed 27 completions on 38 attempts totaling 356 yards, and a completion percentage of 71.1%. In the game, they allowed a total of 501 yards and forced 3 takeaways. Against the run, the Cardinals allowed 145 yards on 38 carries which gave them an average of 3.8 yards per run allowed.

The Cardinals head into this game 4-6 for the 2019 season. They are one of the most potent offenses in the country averaging 33.9 points per game, which has them at 32nd in the country. As a team, they are averaging 204.8 yards on the ground per contest which is 4th in the conference. For total yards, they rank 4th in the MAC and 37th in the country with 4,446 yards. The Cardinals have one of the most lackluster defenses in the country, allowing 30.9 points per contest ranking them 9th in the conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Cardinals have allowed 2,398 yards. Teams are completing 58.1% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. In regard to rushing yards, Ball State is allowing 181.6 yards per game which has them at 4th in the Mid-American Conference and 90th in the country. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.5 yards per rush which has them at 5th in the Mid-American Conference and 83rd in the country overall. In total, they have allowed 1,816 yards rushing through 10 contests.

Related: Gambling 101 Series on How Odds are Calculated - Watch Tony George Explain

In their last game, the Kent State Golden Flashes faced the Buffalo Bulls and won 30-27. Xavier Williams led the team on the ground for the game. He tore off a long run of 20 yards and he tallied 1 touchdown during the game. He rushed for a total of 42 yards on 9 carries which means he ran for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. Xavier Williams led the team in receiving yardage with a tally of 56 yards on 2 catches. He averaged 28.0 yards per catch for the game. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Golden Flashes was Dustin Crum who went 16/25 with 165 yards through the air and completed 2 TD's. He threw 1 interception during the game. The Golden Flashes ended up running the ball 40 times and racked up 119 yards which gave them an average of 3.0 yards per rush. For the game, they ran 65 plays which gave them a total of 284 yards. For the contest, the Golden Flashes got 18 first downs and they totaled 8 penalties for 59 yards which shows us that this team didn't have their heads in this game. On the defensive side of the ball, Kent State conceded 9 completions on 22 attempts totaling 134 yards, and a completion percentage of 40.9%. Against the run, the Golden Flashes conceded 245 yards on 51 attempts which is an average of 4.8 yards per attempt allowed. In the game, they conceded a total of 379 yards and earned 1 takeaway.

Related: Get college football tips & picks on all of today's games

The Golden Flashes come into this game with a record of 4-6. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Golden Flashes have an offense that could be called mediocre in D-1. Kent State has built a respectable ground game this year by averaging 165.6 rushing yards per contest, which has them at 62nd in the country. As a team, they have compiled a total of 1,656 yards rushing through 10 games, so they'll look to the run game to try to keep the opponents off balance so they'll have open receivers. The Golden Flashes average 363.8 yards per contest overall putting them 100th in the nation and 9th in the MAC. The Golden Flashes are giving up 30.9 points per game which puts them at 8th in the Mid-American Conference and 88th in Division 1. In terms of points allowed, they have allowed 309 total points. When talking about yards on the ground, they are conceding 255 yards per contest ranking them 128th in D-1 and 12th in the MAC. For the 2019 season, they have allowed 2,550 rushing yards and 27 rushing TDs. Their pass defense is one of the mediocre groups in the nation. They are conceding 206.3 passing yards per contest. For passing yards allowed per game, the Golden Flashes are ranked 4th in the Mid-American Conference.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Golden Flashes +3.5

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