NIU Huskies vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 10/1/2022 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: NIU Huskies vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2022

Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (+3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 60

The Ball State Cardinals (1-3) are hosting the NIU Huskies (1-3) at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday. NIU opens this game as 3.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 60.

The NIU Huskies come into this game with a record of 1-3 for this season. In their last contest, the Huskies stepped onto the field against the Kentucky Wildcats and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 31-23. Ethan Hampton connected on 13/25 with 196 yds passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 131.1 and ended the game with no interceptions. Harrison Waylee was the best rusher for the Huskies with 18 attempts for 63 yards (3.5 yards per carry). When all was said and done, they tallied 59 plays for 327 yards. The NIU Huskies ran the ball 33 different times and totaled 128 yards, earning them an average of 3.9 yds per carry. In the running game, the Huskies gave up 103 yds on 35 attempts, which is an average of 2.9 yards per run allowed. NIU allowed 18 completions on 26 tries for a total of 303 yards, and a completion rate of 69.2%.

The Huskies have earned 1,445 total yards for the year. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, NIU has compiled 9 touchdowns through the air and 7 touchdowns on the ground. They have given the ball to the opposition 2 times. NIU has a total of 69 first downs offensively, and they have been hurt by 27 infractions for 242 yds. Offensively they're holding an average of 148.0 yards in the run game ranking them 83rd in the country. Regarding scoring points, the NIU Huskies have an average of 30.0 PPG.

Concerning passing yardage, the Huskies are conceding 1,156 yds which puts them in 116th in D-1. They have conceded 289.0 yards per outing through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 66.0%. For the year, they are conceding 426.0 yards/contest which puts them 108th in the country. They have allowed 15 touchdowns by air and 2 touchdowns running the ball. They are giving up an average of 3.9 yards per run and 137.0 rushing yards per contest for the year. During this campaign, they have allowed 548 running yards through 4 outings. The Huskies rank 106th in the country regarding team defense, conceding 33.5 points per game.

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The Cardinals step onto the field holding a record of 1-3 this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Cardinals took a loss by a score of 34-23 when they faced the Georgia Southern Eagles. John Paddock (2 TDs) ended the game with 338 yds on 33/47 passing while his QB rate was 140.4. He tossed 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.2. Carson Steele carried the football 23 times for 119 yards, ending the contest with 5.2 yards per attempt for Ball State. The Cardinals ended up finishing with 496 yds and they ran 81 plays (6.1 yards per play). Ball State ran the ball for 4.6 yards per carry, totaling 158 yds on 34 carries. Ball State conceded 38 run attempts for 164 yds (4.3 yards per rush). The Cardinals pass defense gave up a completion rate of 65.0%, relinquishing 310 yards on 26 out of 40 through the air.

The Ball State Cardinals are averaging 440.5 yards/game, which has them sitting 50th in Division 1. The Ball State offense has totaled 324 yds of penalties on 34 violations, which is good for 16th in college football in terms of giving up free yards. For the season so far, the Cardinals currently have a total of 1,135 passing yards along with holding an average of 283.8 throwing yards per outing, ranking them 32nd in Division 1. Regarding how much they score, the Cardinals are sitting 102nd in D-1 holding an average of 23.5 points per contest.

Ball State has surrendered a total of 676 yards on the ground (169.0 yards/game) and 11 touchdowns by way of the ground game this season. They have conceded 5 touchdowns through the air and 234.0 yards per contest, which puts them in 75th in college football. The Cardinals defense has participated in 302 plays, ranking them 107th in Division 1. The Cardinals are surrendering 31.0 points per game, which has them sitting 95th in the nation. In total, they have given up 124 points in total.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cardinals +3.5

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