Western Michigan Broncos vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 10/5/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Michigan Broncos vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (+9.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

Scheumann Stadium is where the Ball State Cardinals (1-3) will try to beat the Western Michigan Broncos (1-3) on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Ball State opens this matchup as 9.5-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is 56.5.

The Western Michigan Broncos step onto the field holding a record of 1-3 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Broncos faced off with the Marshall Thundering Herd and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 27-20. Overall, they tallied 69 plays for 318 yds. The Western Michigan Broncos ran the ball a total of 41 different times and had 192 yards, which had them averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. When it came to stopping the run, the Broncos conceded 243 yds on 39 tries, which is 6.2 yds per rush allowed. Western Michigan relinquished 15 pass completions on 25 attempts for 177 yards, and a completion percentage of 60.0%.

The Broncos have earned 1,355 total yards this year. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Western Michigan has amassed 4 touchdowns via the pass and 8 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 4 times. Western Michigan has recorded 70 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 15 penalties for 120 yards. Offensively they maintain an average of 178.0 yards via the ground game which ranks them 55th in D-1. Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Western Michigan Broncos are sitting at 23.3 points per contest.

The Broncos rank 125th in Division 1 in terms of team defense, giving up 35.5 points per game. They are giving up 5.0 yards per run and 212.8 rushing yards per contest for the campaign. Overall, they have given up 851 rushing yards through 4 games. When it comes to passing yards, the Broncos have conceded 895 yds which puts them in 62nd in Division 1. They have given up 223.8 yards per contest through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 65.2%. In total, they are granting 436.5 yards per contest which ranks them 118th in D-1. They have yielded 5 touchdowns by air and 11 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Cardinals head into this game 1-3 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Cardinals took a defeat with a final score of 63-7 when they faced the James Madison Dukes. Ball State rushed the football for 2.3 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 77 yds on 33 carries. The Cardinals finished the contest with 250 yds while they ran 71 plays (3.5 yards per play). The Cardinals secondary gave up a completion rate of 72.4%, surrendering 286 yds on 21 out of 29 through the air. Ball State conceded 34 running attempts for 220 yards (6.5 yards per rush).

The Ball State Cardinals average 307.8 yards/contest, which has them ranked 117th in the country. The Ball State offense has totaled 142 penalty yards on 18 infractions, which is good for 121st in Division 1 in terms of hurting your team. They average 100.5 rushing yards per game and have run for 402 yards in total. They have tossed 5 interceptions while conceding 0 fumbles and they have tallied 80 first downs. Regarding their scoring prowess, the Cardinals currently rank 111th in the country holding an average of 20.8 points per game. For the season to this point, the Cardinals have earned 829 yards through the air not to mention an average of 207.3 passing yards per outing, which is ranked 88th in D-1.

The Cardinals are allowing 49.0 PPG, which has them sitting 133rd in the nation. Ball State has yielded a total of 860 rushing yards (215.0 yards/game) and 10 touchdowns via the rush for the year. This season, they have given up 196 pts. They have surrendered 15 touchdowns via the pass and 310.8 yards per outing, which has them in 133rd in Division 1. The Cardinals defense has taken the field for 243 plays, which is good for 19th in D-1. They have tallied 2 fumbles and 1 pick so far this year.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cardinals +9.5

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