Central Michigan Chippewas vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 10/21/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Central Michigan Chippewas vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (+3)

Total/Over-Under: 43.5

Scheumann Stadium is the site where the Ball State Cardinals (1-6) will try to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas (4-3) on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Ball State opens this game as 3-point underdogs from oddsmakers. The total has been set at 43.5.

The Central Michigan Chippewas come into this matchup with a record of 4-3 this season. In their last matchup, the Chippewas faced off with the Akron Zips and took home the win by a score of 17-10. Jase Bauer went 17/32 with 181 yds through the air. He had a QB rating of 88.1 and ended the contest with 2 picks. Jase Bauer was the rushing leader for the Chippewas with 20 attempts for 61 yds (3.1 yards per attempt). The Central Michigan Chippewas ended up running the ball 50 different times and had 117 yards, which earned them an average of 2.3 yards per carry. When the final whistle blew, they had 82 plays which gave them 298 yds. Central Michigan surrendered 16 completions on 34 tries for 123 yards, and a completion percentage of 47.1%. In the running game, the Chippewas gave up 70 yards on 19 attempts, which calculates to 3.7 yards per run allowed.

When talking about scoring points, the Central Michigan Chippewas have an average of 22.7 points per game. Offensively they are averaging 143.6 yards on the ground which is 80th in D-1. The Chippewas have earned 2,351 total yards over the course of this season. With reference to getting the ball in the endzone, Central Michigan has amassed 7 touchdowns through the air and 13 rushing touchdowns. Central Michigan has compiled 137 1st downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 41 infractions for 382 yards. They have surrendered the football 10 different times.

The Chippewas are ranked 103rd in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 30.6 points per game. The opposition is running for an average of 4.4 yards per rush and 129.6 rushing yards per contest on the season. In total, they have allowed 907 running yards through 7 games. In terms of passing yards, the Chippewas are allowing 1,909 yards which has them ranked 126th in D-1. They have allowed 272.7 yards per contest via the pass and conceding a completion percentage of 60.4%. During the season, they have relinquished 402.3 yards/game which ranks them 105th in the country. They have given up 13 touchdowns via the pass and 12 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Cardinals head into this matchup 1-6 for this season. In their last game, the Cardinals walked away with a loss by a score of 13-6 when they played the Toledo Rockets. Kiael Kelly ran the ball 18 times for 98 yards, walking away from the game with 5.4 yds per carry for Ball State. Kiael Kelly walked away from the game with 38 yards on 4/16 passing while his QB rate was 32.5. He had 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 2.4. Ball State gave up 46 attempts on the ground for 210 yards (4.6 yards per rush). The Cardinals pass defense gave up a completion rate of 55.6%, surrendering 166 yards on 15 for 27 passing. The Cardinals finished the game with 205 yards while they ran 54 plays (3.8 yards per play). Ball State ran the ball for 4.4 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 167 yds on 38 carries.

In terms of putting points on the board, the Cardinals are sitting 131st in Division 1 averaging 15.0 points per game. The Ball State Cardinals maintain an average of 287.9 yards per game, which has them ranked 128th in D-1. The Ball State offense has compiled 331 yds of penalties on 38 violations, ranking them 73rd in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They have tossed 7 picks while allowing opponents to recover 5 fumbles and they have obtained 116 first downs. During the season so far, the Cardinals currently have a total of 1,178 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 168.3 throwing yards per game, which has them sitting 118th in the nation. They maintain an average of 119.6 yards per game on the ground and have rushed for 837 yards for the year.

The Cardinals are conceding 30.7 points per contest, which has them ranked 104th in college football. Ball State has conceded a total of 887 yards rushing (126.7 yards per game) as well as 10 touchdowns on the ground on the campaign. This season, they have surrendered 215 total points. They have allowed 13 touchdowns through the air as well as 247.7 yards/outing, which has them in 97th in college football. The Cardinals defense has taken part in 456 plays, which ranks them 95th in Division 1. They have earned 3 fumbles recovered and 3 interceptions over the course of the season.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cardinals +3

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