Western Michigan vs. Ball State Prediction College Football Tips 10/5/24

Ball State (1-3) vs. Western Michigan (1-3)

Game info: Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. (Scheumann Stadium)

Betting Odds: Ball State +9.5 / Western Michigan -9.5 — Over/Under: 56.5 Click here for the latest odds

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In this article we formulate a prediction between Western Michigan and Ball State for this college football game on Saturday, October 5th at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this matchup in Week 6.

Western Michigan Broncos betting preview

The Western Michigan Broncos are 1-3 (0-0) on the year after losing 27-20 to Marshall last week. Western Michigan fought hard to tie the game at 20 points in the fourth quarter, but they allowed the game-winning touchdown with about 7:30 left in the game. The Broncos were outnumbered 420-318 overall, tied the turnover battle and were 4:14 into the third of the game. Hayden Wolff threw for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Jaden Nixon threw for 146 yards and a score on 23 carries.

Western Michigan also has losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State this year, with its lone win coming against Bethune Cookman by a score of 59-31. The WMU offense scored 23.3 points per game with 160.8 passing yards and 178 rushing yards per game, while the defense allowed 35.5 points per game this season. The Broncos are 28.9% on third down and 4-7 on fourth down through four games. Hayden Wolff has completed 62.5% of his passes for 643 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, while Anthony Sambucci caught 13 passes for 212 yards and a score.

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Ball State Cardinals are 1-3 (0-1) this season after losing to James Madison 63-7 in their last game. Ball State cut the deficit to 15-7 in the first quarter, but was unable to score any more points due to the overwhelming loss. The Cardinals had a 515-250 lead overall, lost the turnover battle 3-0 and were 7:16 into the third period of the game. Kadin Semonza threw for 168 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, while Braedon Sloan rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries.

Ball State also lost to Central Michigan and Miami, but they beat Missouri State 42-34 in the first game. Ball State’s offense scored 22.3 points per game with 207.3 passing yards and 100.5 rushing yards per game while the defense allowed 49 points per game this season. The Cardinals are 40.3% on third down and 5-12 on fourth down so far this season. Kadin Semonza has completed 69.1% of his passes for 826 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions, while Tanner Koziol has caught 29 passes for 289 yards and three scores.

Why Western will cover Michigan

The favorite has won each of Ball State’s last six games.

Ball State has lost each of its last three games.

Western Michigan has evened the spread in each of its last four road games in October against teams not ranked in the AP.

Total score facts

Each of Ball State’s last six games in October fell UNDER the total score.

Each of Western Michigan’s last four games as a favorite has exceeded the point total.

Matchup/League Facts

Ball State ranks 133rd among FBS teams in points allowed per game this season (49.0).

Ball State ranks 133rd among FBS teams in yards allowed per game this season (529.8).

Western Michigan ranks 122nd among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (19.0).

Western Michigan ranks 122nd among FBS teams in rushing yards allowed per game this season (212.8).