Ball State Cardinals vs Bowling Green Falcons Prediction, 11/1/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Bowling Green Falcons

Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Location: Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, OH

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Falcons (-4)

Total/Over-Under: 40.5

The Bowling Green Falcons (4-4) are hosting the Ball State Cardinals (2-6) at Doyt L. Perry Stadium on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Bowling Green opens as 4-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total is 40.5.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this matchup with a record of 2-6 this season. The last time they took the field, the Cardinals played the Central Michigan Chippewas and went home with a win by a final score of 24-17. Kiael Kelly finished 13/16 with 101 yards through the air. He had a quarterback rating of 134.3 and finished the game without throwing a pick. Marquez Cooper was the leader on the ground for the Cardinals with 26 totes for 162 yards (6.2 yds per attempt). In all, they ran 62 plays for 344 yds. The Ball State Cardinals ran the football 46 different times and accounted for 243 yards, which earned them an average of 5.3 yards per tote. On the ground, the Cardinals gave up 99 yards on 35 tries, which calculates to 2.8 yards per run surrendered. Ball State allowed 19 pass completions on 31 attempts for a total of 161 yards, and a completion percentage of 61.3%.

The Cardinals have racked up 2,360 total yards for the season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Ball State has compiled 7 touchdowns through the air and 7 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 12 different times. Ball State has recorded 139 first downs offensively, and they have been called for 45 penalties for 396 yds. As a team they hold an average of 135.1 yards via the ground game ranking them 91st in D-1. Regarding putting points on the board, the Ball State Cardinals have an average of 16.1 points per contest.

The Cardinals rank 96th in the nation regarding team defense, allowing 29.0 points per contest. The opposition is running for 3.8 yards per rush and 123.3 rushing yards per game on the season. During the season, they have conceded 986 rushing yards through 8 games. When talking about passing yards, the Cardinals are giving up 1,895 yards which ranks them 82nd in Division 1. They have surrendered 236.9 yards per contest via the pass in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 62.8%. During this campaign, they are surrendering 360.1 yards/contest ranking them 55th in college football. They have allowed 14 touchdowns via the pass and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Falcons head into this game 4-4 this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Falcons walked away with a victory by a final of 41-14 when they played the Akron Zips. Connor Bazelak (1 touchdown) ended the contest with 69 yds on 6/11 through the air while his QB rating was 137.2. He didn't throw any interceptions and his average yards per attempt was 6.3. Terion Stewart carried the ball 19 times for 131 yds, ending the game with 6.9 yds per carry for Bowling Green. The Falcons finished with 297 yards on 56 plays (5.3 yds per play). Bowling Green ran for 5.1 yards per tote, totaling 214 yards on 42 attempts. Bowling Green gave up 28 running attempts for 45 yds (1.6 yards per carry). The Falcons pass defense allowed a completion rate of 57.9%, surrendering 234 yards on 22 out of 38 passing.

When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Falcons are sitting 103rd in D-1 with an average of 22.3 points per outing. The Bowling Green Falcons maintain an average of 301.6 yards per contest, which has them sitting 124th in college football. The Bowling Green offense has totaled 595 yards of penalties on 59 violations, which has them sitting 16th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 12 interceptions while losing 4 fumbles and they have been able to earn 127 first downs. During the season to this point, the Falcons have compiled 1,228 yards via the pass as well as an average of 153.5 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 124th in the nation. They hold an average of 148.1 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 1,185 yards for this year.

The Falcons are surrendering 25.0 points per contest, which has them ranked 62nd in D-1. Bowling Green has given up a total of 1,084 yards rushing (135.5 yards/game) as well as 7 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. This year, they have relinquished 200 total points. They have given up 16 touchdowns through the air as well as 195.0 yards per outing, which has them in 27th in the country. The Falcons defense has been on the field for 484 plays, which ranks 12th in the nation. Their defense has 8 fumbles and 12 picks over the course of the season.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals +4

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