Western Michigan vs. Ball State Pick
Can the Western Michigan Broncos go on the road and take care of business when they face the Ball State Cardinals tonight at 6PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
301 Western Michigan at 302 Ball State
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
6PM ET – Scheumann Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Western Michigan is favored on the road, as the Broncos are getting odds of -7.5 points against Ball State. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 54.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 79 percent going on Western Michigan on the road.
Broncos loses two straight
Western Michigan has lost back-to-back games to fall out of the MAC race. The Broncos come into tonight’s game at 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the MAC. WMU is 3-7 against the spread and 5-5 with the over/under total. They have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six.
WMU has been struggling to defend lately, allowing 33.7 points and 393.1 yards per game on the season. They have given up 110 points in their last two games. Their run defense is allowing 185.7 yards per contest this year. Offensively, the Broncos are averaging 32.9 points and 443.9 yards per contest. Jon Wassink threw for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Kaleb Eleby is now leading the offense. He has thrown for 445 yards and three touchdowns. LeVante Bellamy has 907 rushing yards and five touchdowns while Jamauri Bogan has rushed for 534 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ball State loses three straight
Ball State has dropped three straight coming into tonight’s game, all by at least 22 points. The Cardinals are now 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the MAC. They are now 4-6 against the spread and 7-2-1 with the under. They have failed to cover in three straight games.
The Cardinals are struggling on defense, allowing 30.6 points and 433.2 yards per game. Their run defense is giving up 215.3 yards per contest. Offensively, BSU is putting up 22.7 points and 417.2 yards per contest. Quarterback Riley Neal has thrown for 1,917 yards and 11 touchdowns this year, but he is out of this game with a knee injury. Drew Plitt has thrown for 575 yards and two touchdowns in his place, but also has four interceptions. James Gilbert is the leading rusher on the team with 586 yards and five touchdowns while Riley Miller has 51 catches for 713 yards and five touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Western Michigan
The Broncos are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven conference games and 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a double-digit loss at home.
Ball State
Ball State is just 19-40 against the spread in their last 59 home games and 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games in November.
Prediction:
Both teams are dealing with injuries at the QB position, but the Broncos seem more likely to overcome that issue. Western Michigan has a very sound run game and is facing a very poor run defense in Ball State. The Cardinals don’t have the same luxury. Western Michigan has won and covered the spread in four straight in this series as well, with the last three wins coming by at least 32 points.
College Football Prediction: Western Michigan -7.5