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Buffalo v. Ball State Football Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

College football odds makers have spoken, and they feel strongly that Ball State will finish the season at a perfect 13-0, capturing the MAC title. Buffalo has played well down the stretch, winning five of its last six games, but faces a steep task in this one. Hopefully a neutral field will help even the playing field for the Bulls but odds makers don’t think so. Ball State is listed as a 15-point favorite with the total set at 50.

Many bowl representatives, school officials, conference commissioners, and ESPN are discussing a situation that would have Ball State play Boise State in a bowl game if the Cards win the MAC title on Friday night. The game would then pair the 12-0 Broncos with the 13-0 Cardinals. While the Broncos have been a BCS bowl contender, it appears more likely that they’ll be playing in the Humanitarian Bowl on their home field. There has been a push to get Ball State in that game as well, but you can excuse the Cardinals if they don’t seem to excited about playing a road game on a field where its opponent is 64-3 the last 10 years. Now, the committees are trying to find a way to make this game work in a different bowl, but first thing is first, the Cardinals need to take care of their business Friday night.

Offensively, the Cards boast the MAC’s most balanced attack. Running back MiQuale Lewis leads the league in rushing yards (1,570) and QB Nate Davis is second in the MAC is passing. The NFL prospect is averaging 257.9 yards per game. The two skill players have made Ball State difficult to stop and have helped the team average 37.7 points per game, which is a MAC-best.

It has been Ball State’s defensive improvement that has them on the brink of a 13-0 season. Just a few seasons back, the Ball State defense was the laughing stock of the league. Now, it leads the league in scoring defense, allowing only 16.7 points per games. The Cards are fourth in the league in total defense and lead the conference in interceptions with 16.

Scouting The Defense: The Cardinals’ greatest area of improvement this season has been on defense. They were a laughing stock on defense just a couple of years ago, but have transformed into a staunch unit. Ball State leads the MAC in defensive scoring (16.7 points per game) and ranks fourth in the league in total defense. The Cardinals lead the MAC in interceptions made (16). If you like the Cards to cover the lofty number, bet Ball State at -15 at Bookmaker.

Buffalo has a chance to go down in history Friday night for winning its first ever MAC championship and by doing do by knocking off the undefeated Ball State Cards. In other words, the Bulls will have the benefit of playing with nothing to lose. With little to play for in its regular season finale against Kent State, Buffalo lost to the Golden Flashes 24-21. The loss dropped the Bulls to 7-5 on the season and it could be just the medicine the Bulls needed to get their attention before playing their biggest game of the season.

Buffalo is very much like Ball State in that it has turned a corner after enduring 10 straight non-winning seasons. While Nate Davis will capture much of the hype, Buffalo’s Drew Willy should not be overlooked and he certainly won’t be by the Cards. Willy is Buffalo’s career passing leader. And running back James Starks has been equally impressive. Despite missing 2 1/2 games because of injury, Starks still became the school’s single-season rushing leader.

Offensively, the Bulls have been potent, averaging nearly 40 points per contest during their recent five-game winning streak. Defensively, the Bulls are going to have to step up and play their best game of the season. The Bulls allowed 31.6 points per game during their recent five game winning streak and rarely get to the QB with their pass rush. This unit has been able to force turnovers however, and that is likely what it will have to do to upset the Cards. If you think the Bulls can take Ball State down to the wire, bet Buffalo at +15 at bookmaker.

Do you football betting on this big matchup with Jimmy Boyd’s NCAA football picks in your back pocket. It’s the only way to bet with extreme confidence.

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