Two schools that like to run the football, Cardinals of Ball State (-3) are ready to welcome the Miami (OH) RedHawks to Scheumann Stadium. This Friday matchup is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Ball State Cardinals vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
Miami (OH) is a live dog in this Friday matchup and is currently getting 3 points. The RedHawks are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are -140. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 55 points. If Ball State starts trailing early, it’ll probably produce a decent live betting scenario.
The RedHawks have recorded 4.5 units so far and are 6-5 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an O/U mark of 5-6.
The Cardinals are down 4.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 6-5.
The RedHawks are 7-4 straight up (SU), including 6-1 SU against MAC opponents. The Cardinals are 4-7 SU overall and 3-4 SU in conference play.
These two squads faced off last year with the final result being a 42-21 win for Miami (OH).
Miami (OH) enters this contest on a zero-game losing streak while Ball State has won each of its last zero. The RedHawks are coming off a 20-17 win over Akron last week. Brett Gabbert completed only 10-of-21 passes for 117 yards and two interceptions. Jaylon Bester (128 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) and Tyre Shelton (87 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Jack Sorenson (three receptions, 46 yards) and Andrew Homer (two catches, 17 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Ball State narrowly fell 41-38 to Kent State. Drew Plitt completed 16-of-24 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Caleb Huntley (192 yards on 30 rush attempts, two TDs) and Walter Fletcher (90 yards on 16 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Fletcher (four receptions, 74 yards, one TD) and Yo’Heinz Tyler (four catches, 61 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Miami (OH)’s run the ball on 62.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ball State has an overall rush percentage of 59.1 percent. The RedHawks have rushed for 140.6 yards/game (including 166.3 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have 18 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cards are averaging 215.6 rush yards per game (267 in conference) and have 24 total rushing TDs.
The RedHawks offensive scheme has averaged 171.2 yards in the air overall (190.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has nine passing TDs so far. The Cards have put up 236.9 pass yards per outing (175 against MAC competition) and have 21 total pass scores.
Defensively, Miami (OH) seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 173 yards and pass for 191.8 yards per game. The Ball State D has given up 252.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 186.2 yards per game to opposing runners. The RedHawks are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.18 to opposing QBs, while the Cards have given up a 6.02 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Gabbert has put up 1,626 yards this year, and has connected on 53 percent of his 235 attempts with six passing scores and seven interceptions. He has a 5.18 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.28 over the last two games.
For the home team, Drew Plitt has managed to complete 198-of-305 passes for 2,333 yards, 18 TDs and six INTs. Plitt’s ANY/A sits at 6.93 for the season and 9.44 across his past two games.
Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Ball State Cardinals Free Pick
SU Winner: Ball State, ATS Winner: Ball State, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The Miami (OH) defense has 32 sacks on the year while Ball State has just 13.
- Ball State has lost eight fumbles this season while the Miami (OH) offense has lost seven.
- The RedHawks offense has tallied nine pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Cardinals have put up seven such plays.
- The Miami (OH) defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Ball State has given up eight such plays.
- The Miami (OH) offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Ball State has created 22 such runs.
- The RedHawks defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Cardinals have given up 17 such runs.
- The O/U for Ball State’s last matchup was 67. The over cashed in that 41-38 loss to Kent State.
- Over its last three contests, Ball State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- In its last three games, Miami (OH) is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Miami (OH)’s last game was set at 45. The under cashed in the team’s 20-17 victory over Akron.
- Miami (OH), as a team, has produced 4.7 yards per carry across its past three outings and 4.8 over its last two.
- Ball State has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.3 over its past two.
