Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos Prediction, 9/30/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Location: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Broncos (-1)

Total/Over-Under: 54

The Ball State Cardinals (1-3) are en route to Waldo Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023 where they will compete against the Western Michigan Broncos (1-3). Western Michigan opens as 1-point favorites. The betting total comes in at 54.

The Ball State Cardinals head into this game 1-3 for this year. In their last contest, the Cardinals went up against the Georgia Southern Eagles and ended up losing by a score of 40-3. Kadin Semonza went 11/23 with 123 yards through the air. He had a quarterback rate of 75.4 and finished the contest with 2 interceptions. Marquez Cooper led the offense in rushing for the Cardinals with 9 totes for 16 yds (1.8 yards per carry). The Ball State Cardinals ended up rushing 28 different times and had 37 yards, earning them an average of 1.3 yards per attempt. For the game, they ran 57 plays which totaled 197 yds. Ball State relinquished 36 pass completions on 50 tries for 363 yds, and a completion rate of 72.0%. Against the rush, the Cardinals conceded 167 yards on 27 tries, which is 6.2 yards per run surrendered.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Ball State Cardinals are averaging 16.3 PPG. As a team they average 118.5 yards rushing which ranks them 107th in the nation. The Cardinals have racked up 1,141 total yards this year. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Ball State has earned 3 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing touchdowns. Ball State has 67 first downs as a unit, and they have been called for 14 penalties for 113 yds. They have turned the ball over 8 different times.

The Cardinals sit in 118th in the nation when it comes to team defense, giving up 34.0 points per contest. The opposition is running for an average of 4.5 yards per run and 121.5 rushing yards per contest for the campaign. Over the course of this season, they have allowed 486 yards via the running game in 4 games. When it comes to passing yards, the Cardinals have given up 1,048 yards which puts them in 104th in D-1. They have given up 262.0 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 64.5%. In total, they have yielded 383.5 yards/contest which ranks them 93rd in college football. They have conceded 8 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 5 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Broncos head into this game 1-3 this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Broncos went home defeated by a final of 49-31 against the Toledo Rockets. Treyson Bourguet walked away from the contest with 160 yds on 12/22 through the air while his quarterback rating was 106.5. He had 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.3. Jalen Buckley ran the football 29 times for 196 yds, finishing the game with 6.8 yds per attempt for Western Michigan. The Broncos finished the game with 399 yds while running 81 plays (4.9 yards per play). Western Michigan ran the football for 4.3 yards per attempt, totaling 236 yards on 55 carries. Western Michigan conceded 44 run attempts for 269 yds (6.1 yds per rush). The Broncos pass defense conceded a completion rate of 58.3%, relinquishing 228 yds on 14 for 24 through the air.

The Western Michigan Broncos hold an average of 366.3 yards per outing, which has them sitting 87th in college football. The Western Michigan offense has racked up 248 yards of penalties on 26 infractions, which ranks 52nd in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They average 197.3 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 789 yards for the season. They have thrown 4 picks while allowing opponents to recover 3 fumbles and they have been able to tally 76 1st downs. In relation to how much they score, the Broncos are sitting 115th in Division 1 holding an average of 20.8 PPG. During this campaign thus far, the Broncos have compiled 676 passing yards as well as holding an average of 169.0 throwing yards per contest, putting them at 115th in college football.

The Broncos are relinquishing 38.8 points per game, which puts them 130th in the nation. Western Michigan has given up a total of 727 yards on the ground (181.8 yards per game) and 11 touchdowns on the ground on the campaign. This season, they have conceded 155 total points. They have surrendered 8 touchdowns through the air as well as 233.5 yards/game, which puts them in 80th in Division 1. The Broncos defense has been on the field for 255 plays, which ranks 50th in the nation. They have compiled 2 fumbles recovered and 4 picks for the season.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Broncos -1

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