2009 GMAC Bowl Predictions – Ball State v. Tulsa Football Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 5, 2009

gmac-bowl

23rd ranked Ball State was one win away from a perfect regular season and a MAC title, but it was brutally upset by Buffalo in the MAC title game. Now, the Cards find themselves as underdogs to Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl. NCAA football odds makers have listed Tulsa as the 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 75.

Ball State head coach Brady Hoke has wasted no time moving on after getting the Cardinals program on solid footing. Hoke is 34-38 in six seasons with Ball State, but after a 12-1 campaign, he has decided to take the job at San Diego State. After excepting the job, he has also decided not to coach the Cardinals in their second straight bowl game. Offensive coordinator Steve Parrish will be call the shots in the game after signing a four-year contract last month to take over as head man.

Ball State’s offense is led by QB Nate Davis, who receive Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors. Davis is on the draft list of several NFL teams but is yet to announce if he will turn pro or return for his senior season. After his worst performance of the season in a 42-24 loss to Buffalo in the MAC title game, Davis seemed to say that he would be back and that coming back was his plan all along. That could quickly change as NFL teams throw their money at him. Davis is projected to be a first or second round pick. Davis threw for 26 touchdowns against just seven interceptions this season. He racked up 3,446 yards through the air. If you like Davis to lead the Cardinals to a GMAC Bowl victory, bet Ball State at +2.5 at BetUS and receive up to a 145% sign up bonus.

What gets lost in all the talk about Nate Davis is just how good of a QB Tulsa’s David Johnson is. Johnson helped lead Tulsa to a 10-3 mark this season and both he and Davis rank among the top 10 in the nation in passing efficiency. Also like Davis, Johnson stumbled in the Conference USA title game. Johnson threw a career-high five picks in the Golden Hurricane’s 27-24 loss to East Carolina in the Conference USA championship game on Dec. 6. It was the third loss in five games for Tulsa, and the first time Johnson had ever thrown more than two interceptions.

His counterpart was responsible for four fumbles in the MAC title game and two of those were returned for touchdowns by Buffalo.

There is little doubt by odds makers that both QB’s will bounce back as these two potent offenses are expected to put up a ton of points. Despite the number, being over/under being set at 75, plenty of football betting on the over is expected to take place. Tulsa running back Tarrion Adams has been a workhorse with 1,341 yards and 11 scores and provides nice balance for Johnson and the passing game. The Golden Hurricane rank eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 254.8 yards per game. Tulsa is second in the country with 565.0 total yards per game. Johnson is second in the nation with a gaudy 179.6 passer rating. He threw for 3,866 yards and 43 touchdowns against just 11 picks.

Tulsa is making its fourth straight bowl appearance and Tulsa is no stranger to this particular bowl as it beat Bowling Green 63-7 in last season’s GMAC Bowl. That win proved to be the largest margin in bowl history. If you like the Golden Hurricane to get the job done, bet Tulsa at -2.5 at BetUS.

It is worth noting that Ball State is 0-6 all-time in bowl games and lost to Rutgers 52-30 in the International Bowl last season. But this is likely the best team that Ball State has ever had.

Make sure you’re siding with Jimmy Boyd’s football picks for the right call on this game!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: