Army Black Knights vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 10/2/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Army Black Knights vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021

Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (+7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 47

The Army Black Knights (4-0) are en route to Scheumann Stadium on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Ball State Cardinals (1-3). Ball State opens this contest as 7.5-point underdogs. The total is set at 47.

The Army Black Knights come into this matchup with a record of 4-0 for this season. In their last matchup, the Black Knights went up against the Miami RedHawks and notched a win by a score of 23-10. Christian Anderson was the leader on the ground for the Black Knights with 15 attempts for 236 yds (15.7 yards per attempt). Christian Anderson finished 0/5 with 0 yds through the air. He had a quarterback rating of 0.0 and finished the contest with no interceptions. In the running game, the Black Knights gave up 28 yards on 20 tries, which averages out to 1.4 yds per run allowed. Army relinquished 12 pass completions on 27 tries for 204 yds, and a completion rate of 44.4%. For the game, they had 68 plays for 384 yds. The Army Black Knights ended up rushing 63 times and totaled 384 yards, which came out to an average of 6.1 yds per carry.

When it comes to scoring points, the Army Black Knights are averaging 39.0 points per contest. As a team they're averaging 344.5 yards on the ground which is 2nd in the nation. The Black Knights currently have 1,660 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Army has amassed 4 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns. Army has accounted for 83 first downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 14 penalties for 155 yds. They have turned the football over 1 time.

The Black Knights rank 50th in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, giving up 19.0 PPG. The opposition is running for an average of 2.7 yards per tote and 58.5 rushing yards per game for the season. In total, they have conceded 234 yards via the ground game in 4 outings. Regarding passing yards, the Black Knights are giving up 877 yards which has them sitting in 79th in the country. They are giving up 219.3 yards per game via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 55.8%. During the season, they are granting 277.8 yards per contest which puts them 28th in D-1. They have yielded 4 touchdowns by air and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Cardinals come into this matchup with a record of 1-3 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Cardinals took a loss by a score of 22-12 when they played the Toledo Rockets. Drew Plitt ended the contest with 190 yards on 21/35 through the air while his QB rate was 105.6. He didn't toss any picks and his Y/A was 5.4. Drew Plitt ran the football 10 times for 26 yds, finishing the game with 2.6 yds per attempt for Ball State. The Cardinals finished with 312 yds while running 71 plays (4.4 yds per play). Ball State ran the ball for 3.5 yards per carry, finishing the game with 122 yds on 35 carries. Ball State conceded 44 run attempts for 272 yds (6.2 yards per rush). The Cardinals pass defense gave up a completion rate of 60.0%, surrendering 172 yds on 12 out of 20 passing.

In terms of their ability to score points, the Cardinals rank 120th in the country averaging 17.0 PPG. For the year to this point, the Cardinals have earned 746 passing yards as well as an average of 186.5 passing yards per contest, ranking them 105th in the country. The Ball State Cardinals maintain an average of 318.5 yards/contest, which is good for 117th in D-1. The Ball State offense has accrued 163 yards of penalties on 20 violations, which ranks 104th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards.

Ball State has allowed the opposition a total of 759 yards via the ground game (189.8 yards/game) as well as 7 touchdowns via the rush for the year. They have allowed 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 248.3 yards per outing, ranking them 108th in the nation. The Cardinals defense has been on the field for 272 plays, ranking them 83rd in D-1. The Cardinals are surrendering 33.0 PPG, ranking them 123rd in the nation. In total, they have given up 132 points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cardinals +7.5

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