Ball State Cardinals vs NIU Huskies Prediction, 11/7/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs NIU Huskies

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Location: Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, IL

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Huskies (-8)

Total/Over-Under: 43.5

Huskie Stadium is the site where the NIU Huskies (4-5) will play the Ball State Cardinals (2-7) on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. NIU opens this contest as 8-point favorites. The betting total is set at 43.5.

The Ball State Cardinals step onto the field holding a record of 2-7 for this year. In their last game, the Cardinals faced off with the Bowling Green Falcons and took a loss by a score of 24-21. Marquez Cooper was the best rusher for the Cardinals with 25 carries for 90 yards (3.6 yds per attempt). Kiael Kelly went 9/19 with 66 yds through the air. He had a quarterback rate of 76.5 and finished the game with no interceptions. Against the run, the Cardinals gave up 104 yards on 34 attempts, which averages out to 3.1 yds per run allowed. Ball State surrendered 15 completions on 23 tries for 177 yards, and a completion percentage of 65.2%. In the game, they ran 68 plays which totaled 283 yards. The Ball State Cardinals ended up running the ball 49 times and accounted for 217 yards, which earned them an average of 4.4 yards per attempt.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Ball State Cardinals are sitting at 16.7 points per outing. As a team they're holding an average of 144.2 yards in the run game ranking this team at 84th in Division 1. The Cardinals have earned 2,643 total yards for this campaign. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Ball State has totaled 7 touchdowns via the pass and 10 rushing touchdowns. Ball State has tallied 155 1st downs offensively, and they have been called for 50 infractions for 421 yds. They have turned the football over 14 different times.

The Cardinals sit in 92nd in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 28.4 PPG. They are allowing an average of 3.7 yards per attempt on the ground and 121.1 rushing yards per game so far this season. Over the course of this year, they have conceded 1,090 rushing yards through 9 outings. When talking about passing yards, the Cardinals are conceding 2,072 yds which puts them in 68th in D-1. They are conceding 230.2 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 63.1%. Over the course of this year, they have relinquished 351.3 yards/game which puts them 48th in the nation. They have yielded 16 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 12 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Huskies head into this game 4-5 for this year. For their last game, the Huskies walked away with a loss by a score of 37-31 when they faced the Central Michigan Chippewas. Antario Brown carried the ball 22 times for 167 yards, finishing the contest with 7.6 yards per carry for NIU. Rocky Lombardi (3 touchdowns) ended the game with 298 yards on 20/35 through the air while his quarterback rating was 151.2. He tossed 1 pick and his average yards per attempt was 8.5. NIU conceded 47 attempts on the ground for 331 yards (7.0 yards per carry). The Huskies pass defense gave up a completion rate of 56.3%, relinquishing 116 yards on 9 out of 16 through the air. The Huskies finished the game with 506 yds and they ran 64 plays (7.9 yards per play). NIU rushed the ball for 7.2 yards per attempt, finishing with 208 yards on 29 attempts.

Regarding how much they score, the Huskies currently sit 81st in D-1 with 25.0 PPG. The NIU Huskies are averaging 361.6 yards/game, which has them sitting 85th in the country. The NIU offense has compiled 429 yards of penalties on 48 violations, which ranks 96th in the nation in terms of helping out the other team. They have tossed 7 interceptions while surrendering 5 fumbles and they have recorded 164 first downs. For the season so far, the Huskies currently have a total of 1,812 passing yards as well as an average of 201.3 throwing yards per contest, which has them ranked 101st in D-1. They are averaging 160.2 yards per game via the rush and have run for 1,442 yards overall.

The Huskies are allowing 23.0 points per game, which has them ranked 47th in Division 1. NIU has conceded a total of 1,505 rushing yards (167.2 yards/game) as well as 18 touchdowns by way of the ground game on the campaign. Over the course of the season, they have given up 207 total points. They have conceded 8 touchdowns through the air in addition to 158.3 yards/outing, which has them ranked 5th in college football. The Huskies defense has taken part in 574 plays, which has them ranked 32nd in the nation. Their defense has earned 3 fumbles and 9 interceptions this year.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals +8

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