On Saturday we will get some MAC football as the Ball State Cardinals travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles. The start time is 1:00 pm (Eastern) and the game will be televised locally. Current Odds have Ball State listed as 10.5 point favorites, while the total sits at 55.5.
Analysis: Ball State fell to 2-1 last week as it suffered a 34-27 loss to North Texas on the road. That was its first loss of the campaign came after it downed Illinois State, 51-28, and Army, 40-14, at home in its first two games. In 2012, Pete Lembo is now 17-11 as Ball State's head coach, including a 10-3 mark in games decided by a touchdown or less. Ball State's offense has been led by senior quarterback Keith Wenning, who completed 27-of-46 pass attempts for 333 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to NT. The senior signal caller now has nine 300-yard passing games in his career after reaching that mark in three straight games to begin this season. The leading receivers continued to perform well. Willie Snead tallied 77 yards and two scores on five catches, while Jamill Smith racked up 115 yards on four receptions. The Cardinals should get top RB Jahwan Edwards back for this one, after missing time with a concussion. Ball State was one of the weakest defensive teams in the FBS in 2012 and it appears that it still has a long way to go in the rebuilding process on that side of the ball, after allowing 439 yards 2 weeks ag to army and 505 yards last week to North Texas.
The Eagles still are a win shy of their 2012 total after being defeated, 28-10, by the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers. EMU opened its season up with a home win over FCS foe Howard and lost 45-7 at Penn State in week two. Now in his fifth year with the program, coach Ron English has compiled a pathetic 11-40 record. EMU's offense has not been efficient since facing Howard in week one. Tyler Benz was accurate, completing 17-of-26 attempts, but never had time to set up any big plays against PSU's pass rush and finished with 115 yards in week two. Benz overcame six sacks by Rutgers to set a career-high with 24 completions on 40 attempts for 335 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. EMU's most frequent target in the aerial attack is tight end Tyreese Russell, who reeled in nine catches for 84 yards at Rutgers. Russell is currently leading EMU in catches (19) and yards (185), despite missing a game. EMU had given up 574 yards in total to the Nittany Lions 2 weeks ago, but they improved last week, holding Rutgers to just 274 yards of total offense. Seniors Mycal Swaim and Sean Kurtz have both registered 20 tackles this season and has a interception each as well. Ron English is 1-3 versus BSU since taking over at EMU.
Pick: Have to go with Ball State here. Their defense is pretty weak, but their offense is very solid and that is where they will win this game. EMU just doesn’t have enough offense to keep this one close. Even vs a weak defense like Ball State. The Cardinals are 6-0 ATS vs an opponent that is seeking revenge and i expect that trend to continue here.
EXCLUSIVE NFL WEEK 3 VEGAS RUNNER FANTASY FOOTBALL CONTEST - FREE CHANCE AT $100,000
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free
Fantasy Feud: Fantasy Football Hub | Pregame Exclusive NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest - Free to Play
RJ Bell Talks Daily Fantasy Sports — LISTEN on Soundcloud
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for CFB Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
College Football Free Picks: Kansas State at Texas Betting
What college football bettors need to know about Kansas State Wildcats at Texas Longhorns on Saturday (9/21/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Ken Thomson, with host Marco D'Angelo.