Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos Prediction, 10/9/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021

Location: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Broncos (-12)

Total/Over-Under: 55

The Western Michigan Broncos (4-1) will try to defeat the Ball State Cardinals (2-3) at Waldo Stadium on Saturday. Ball State opens this matchup as 12-point dogs. The betting total comes in at 55.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this game with a record of 2-3 this season. In their last matchup, the Cardinals took the field against the Army Black Knights and earned the victory with a final of 28-16. Carson Steele was the best rusher for the Cardinals with 8 carries for 17 yds (2.1 yds per attempt). Drew Plitt went 17/28 with 233 yds through the air and 2 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rate of 154.2 and finished the game with no picks. Against the rush, the Cardinals gave up 213 yds on 61 attempts, which is 3.5 yds per rush surrendered. Ball State relinquished 5 pass completions on 15 tries for 66 yds, and a completion percentage of 33.3%. In all, they had 54 plays which totaled 269 yds. The Ball State Cardinals ended up rushing 26 different times and totaled 36 yards, which earned them an average of 1.4 yards per tote.

In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the Ball State Cardinals have an average of 19.2 PPG. As a team they maintain an average of 112.8 yards via the ground game which ranks them 111th in Division 1. The Cardinals have tallied 1,543 total yards for the season. When it comes to scoring, Ball State has earned 4 touchdowns through the air and 6 rushing touchdowns. Ball State has tallied 86 first downs as a unit, and they have committed 29 infractions for 218 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 7 different times.

The Cardinals rank 109th in the nation regarding their opponents scoring, giving up 29.6 points per game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.5 yards per rush on the ground and 194.4 rushing yards per contest this year. For the season, they have conceded 972 running yards through 5 contests. When it comes to passing yardage, the Cardinals have conceded 1,059 yds which has them ranked 70th in college football. They have allowed 211.8 yards per contest via the pass in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 62.9%. During the season, they have yielded 406.2 yards/contest which puts them 101st in college football. They have surrendered 6 touchdowns through the air as well as 9 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Broncos come into this game with a record of 4-1 for this season. In their last game, the Broncos took home the win by a final score of 24-17 when they played the Buffalo Bulls. Kaleb Eleby (2 TDs) walked away from the contest with 279 yards on 21/33 through the air while his quarterback rating was 154.7. He didn't throw any picks and his average yards per attempt was 8.5. La'darius Jefferson carried the rock 23 times for 96 yds, ending the game with 4.2 yds per carry for Western Michigan. The Broncos finished the game with 457 yards on 82 plays (5.6 yards per play). Western Michigan rushed the ball for 3.6 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 178 yds on 49 carries. Western Michigan surrendered 29 running attempts for 131 yards (4.5 yards per rush). The Broncos pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 54.5%, surrendering 151 yards on 12 out of 22 through the air.

When discussing their scoring prowess, the Broncos are sitting 83rd in D-1 averaging 26.6 points per contest. For the season to this point, the Broncos have earned 1,201 passing yards in addition to holding an average of 240.2 passing yards per contest, which is ranked 56th in Division 1. The Western Michigan Broncos hold an average of 407.6 yards/game, which is good for 61st in Division 1. The Western Michigan offense has accrued 322 penalty yards on 33 violations, which has them ranked 51st in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards.

Western Michigan has yielded a total of 629 rushing yards (125.8 yards per game) in addition to 5 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. They have allowed 9 touchdowns through the air as well as 174.0 yards per outing, which has them ranked 33rd in college football. The Broncos defense has taken part in 270 plays, ranking them 23rd in the nation. The Broncos are conceding 21.6 points per game, which has them 60th in college football. This season, they have surrendered 108 points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals +12

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