Ball State has not won a MAC Championship since 1996, but if the odds makers at 5Dimes are correct, they will be in the running for the league title this season. The Cardinals are a third pick to win the conference championship at +600 odds and they are a second pick to Northern Illinois to win the MAC's West Division at +295 odds. Ball State is not expected to crest its posted win total of 9.5 games, though. 2013 College Football Predictions at 5Dimes have the Under favored at -215 odds while the Over is drawing +165 odds ($100 wins $165). This means Ball State's implied probability of winning fewer than 9.5 games is just over 56.5 percent.
Ball State snapped a string of three consecutive non-winning seasons last year, finishing up at 9-4 despite an ugly 17-38 loss to Central Florida in the Beef 'O' Brady Bowl. It should continue its winning ways with seven starters back from an offense that averaged over 33 points per game; however, a division title will be difficult to attain with a quality Northern Illinois team returning mostly intact.
The Huskies beat the Cardinals 35-23 in Muncie last season; this year Ball State will travel to DeKalb to face the reigning MAC champion.
Ball State Cardinals 2013 College Football Predictions:
Ball State Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship +750000
Ball State Odds to win the 2013 MAC Championship +600 (three of 13)
Ball State Odds to win the MAC West Division +295 (two of six)
Ball State Regular Season Wins: Over 9.5 (+165), Under 9.5 (-215)
Ball State 2013 Schedule:
8/29 Illinois State
9/7 Army
9/14 at North Texas
9/21 at Eastern Michigan
9/28 Toledo
10/5 at Virginia
10/12 Kent State
10/19 at Western Michigan
10/26 at Akron
11/6 Central Michigan
11/13 at Northern Illinois
11/29 Miami, OH
CFB Free Picks: SEC National Title Chances
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