In a battle featuring two schools that like to deploy their running games, Head Coach Jason Candle and the Toledo Rockets (-1.5) are set to pay a visit to their conference nemesis Ball State Cardinals at Scheumann Stadium. Kickoff for this importantgame is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET and interested parties can watch the action live on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Ball State Cardinals vs. Toledo Rockets
Ball State is entering this MAC game as the underdog and is currently getting 1.5 points. The Rockets are also receiving -120 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +100. There might be multiple good in-game betting scenarios for this matchup, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 59 points.
The game’s total has swung lower after initially being set at 60.5. The opening line (1.5) has yet to change.
The Rockets have recorded 2.2 units so far in 2019 and are 3-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under mark of 2-4.
The Cardinals have lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-2 ATS and also have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Rockets are 4-2 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against conference opponents. The Cardinals are 3-3 SU overall and 2-0 SU in conference play.
The Rockets will try to get back in stride after a 20-7 defeat to Bowling Green last week. the Rockets completed 23-of-35 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mitchell Guadagni went 17-for-20 for 194 yards and one touchdown while Carter Bradley completed four-of-eight for 33 yards. Bryant Koback (60 rushing yards on 14 attempts) and Shakif Seymour (29 yards on 10 carries) propelled the ground attack while Desmond Phillips (six receptions, 65 yards) and Koback (four catches, 41 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Ball State is coming off of a 29-23 win over Eastern Michigan. Drew Plitt completed 23-of-32 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Huntley (152 yards on 29 rush attempts) led the running game as Justin Hall (11 receptions, 109 yards, one TD) and Antwan Davis (four catches, 48 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Toledo has run the ball on 63.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ball State has an overall rush percentage of 52.5 percent. The Rockets have produced 242.7 rush yards/game (including 203.5 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cards are logging 155.7 rushing yards per game (215.5 in conference) and have nine total rush TDs.
The Rockets offensive scheme has averaged 215.2 yards through the air overall (230 per game versus conference opposition) and has nine passing scores so far. The Cards have produced 277.8 pass yards per contest (145 against MAC foes) and have 13 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Toledo has allowed 176 rush yards and 281.8 pass yards per game. The Ball State defense has given up 270.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 134.5 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.36 to opponents, while the Rockets have given up a 6.03 ANY/A.
Offensively, Guadagni has put up 899 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 65 percent of his 100 attempts with six passing scores and only one interception. Guadagni has a sparkling 8.68 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.19 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Drew Plitt has completed 142-of-208 passes for 1,628 yards, 13 TDs and four INTs. Plitt’s ANY/A sits at 7.31 for the year and 5.32 over his past two outings.
These two schools met a year ago with the final outcome being a 45-13 win for Toledo.
Toledo Rockets at Ball State Cardinals Free Pick
SU Winner: Ball State, ATS Winner: Ball State, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Toledo’s previous game going into it was 65. The under cashed in the team’s 20-7 loss to Bowling Green.
- Toledo has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.4 over its last two.
- Ball State has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.0 over its past two.
- Ball State has lost six fumbles this season while Toledo has let five get away.
- In its last three games, Toledo is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Ball State’s last outing going into it was 57. The under cashed in the team’s 29-23 victory over Eastern Michigan.
- In its last three matches, Ball State is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Rockets offense has produced six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cardinals have accounted for five such plays.
- The Toledo defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Ball State has given up five such plays.
- The Toledo offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Ball State has created seven such runs.
- The Rockets defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cardinals have given up seven such runs.
- The Toledo defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 12 times this year. Ball State has registered seven sacks.
