Western Michigan vs Ball State Prediction, Game Preview

Western Michigan vs Ball State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 2 game on Saturday, September 10

Western Michigan vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 2, Saturday, September 10


Western Michigan vs Ball State How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 10
Game Time: 2:00 ET
Venue: Schumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Western Michigan (0-1), Ball State (0-1)
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Western Michigan vs Ball State Game Preview

Why Western Michigan Will Win

The defense might have crashed in the 35-13 loss to Michigan State, but it was the offense that was the bigger disappointment.

Granted, the Spartans were looking to make a defensive statement after struggling last year against anyone who could throw, but the Broncos should’ve done more. On the plus side, WMU is much, much better than that, and now the O will show up.

The ground game should hammer away on the Ball State front – controlling the clock would be nice – and the defense should be able to come up with enough takeaways to get off the field.

Ball State turned it over three times and committed 12 penalties in the 59-10 loss to Tennessee. However …

CFN Expert Picks, Week 2

Why Ball State Will Win

It might have been ugly, but the offense wasn’t that bad.

Any idea of running the ball was abandoned early after the Vols got up fast, but QB John Paddock wasn’t bad. He was able to keep the chains moving – to go along with his two picks.

Tennessee is Tennessee – that offense is going to roll against everyone. Ball State has to get a good day out of the offensive line against a WMU defensive front that got hammered on by Michigan State ground attack.

This might not be a ground-and-pound Ball State team, but it needs to give it a shot.

Week 2 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

Ball State is going to be better this year than it’ll get credit for, but this is when Western Michigan starts to make some noise.

This is one of the better teams in the MAC, and it’s going to bring enough offensive balance to overcome a few defensive issues. Throw in the motivation of the 45-20 loss to Ball State last year, and it should come up with a good performance.

As long as the WMU offensive line doesn’t give up a ton of plays in the backfield like it did against Michigan State, it’ll get out alive.

CFN Week 2 Predictions

Western Michigan vs Ball State Prediction, Line

Western Michigan 34, Ball State 27
Line: Western Michigan -6.5, o/u: 52.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Western Michigan vs Ball State Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5

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Tennessee vs Ball State Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee vs Ball State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 1 game on Thursday, September 1

Tennessee vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 1, Thursday, September 1


Tennessee vs Ball State How To Watch

Date: Thursday, September 1
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
How To Watch: SEC Network
Record: Tennessee (0-0), Ball State (0-0)
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Tennessee vs Ball State Game Preview

Why Ball State Will Win

Is the Tennessee defense any better than the version that couldn’t do anything against decent passing games, and is the offensive line any stronger in pass protection?

The Vol front five was outstanding for the ground game, but it gave up a ton of sacks and way too many pressures. Ball State might not have the bulk up front, but the front seven can move and should be able to get into the backfield.

In a perfect world, the Cardinal running game works right away, the line that was good in pass protection allows QB John Paddock time to keep the chains moving, and the team finds a way to take advantage of the time of possession advantage.

Tennessee won’t care how long it has the ball for – Ball State has to somehow work the clock and shorten the game. However …

Week 1 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why Tennessee Will Win

Ball State isn’t big on the whole ball control thing, either.

Tennessee might have been the worst in the nation in time of possession, but Ball State wasn’t terribly far behind, holding the ball for just 27:31 per game.

The Cardinal offense is good at dinking and dunking, but it’s not going to crank up the downfield plays, even against the potentially leaky Volunteer secondary.

There’s going to be a big problem for the visitors if Tennessee can get out to a hot start.

The third down stops aren’t going to be there on a regular basis, and the Ball State attack doesn’t have the parts to keep up in a firefight. As long as Vol QB Hendon Hooker gets a little bit of time, he should go off.

Week 1 Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Thursday & Friday

What’s Going To Happen

Ball State won’t be a total pushover, but this should be target practice for the Tennessee offense.

Hooker will be sharp on the first few drives, there will be a decent balance to the offense, and Ball State won’t be able to capitalize on enough decent drives to keep up.

Ball State needs to keep this in the high-20s-low 30s, and the Vols won’t oblige.

All of the CFN Predictions

Tennessee vs Ball State Prediction, Line

Tennessee 47, Ball State 17
Line: Tennessee -32.5, o/u: 67.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Tennessee vs Ball State Must See Rating: 2

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Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

Ball State College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State season with what you need to know and keys to the season.


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Ball State Cardinals Preview
Head Coach: Mike Neu, 7th year, 28-41
2021 Preview: Overall: 6-7, Conference: 4-4
Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ball State Top 10 Players | Ball State Schedule

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022

Ball State is able to get a little greedy now.

After six straight losing seasons, the program pulled off a surprising MAC championship in 2020, and then wanted even more with several of the key parts returning to 2021.

It was a fine year, but after a bowl loss to Georgia State it turned into a seventh losing season in eight years. Now there’s a bit of an overhaul, but there’s still enough around to push for the first time ever with three straight bowl seasons.

The downfield passing game has to be better, the offense has to be more consistent, and the defense has to be more disruptive and stronger at getting into the backfield.

It’s going to be a fight to get to six wins with this schedule and the lack of depth, but after the last few years, it’s bowl game or bust.

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Offense

It should be John Paddock’s quarterback job to lose. The 5-11, 196-pound senior worked behind Drew Plitt for the last few years and has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but he’s been in the system long enough to know what he’s doing. Getting the ball down the field is a must after way too much dinking and dunking.

The smallish Jayshon Jackson and 6-3 Yo’Heinz Tyler form a good 1–2 reciting punch, and and the backs can catch, too.

The running backs are in place if the line can give them room to move. Paddock won’t run all that much, so the ground game is up to leading rusher Carson Steeler in a rotation with Will Jones, who combined for close to 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. However, the Ball State ground game averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, but …

The offensive line did a decent job in pass protection and from keeping defenses out of the backfield. There’s a good size of experience and size returning with the tackles set, but the interior needing a little time.

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Defense

The defense was okay. It had its meltdowns, but for the most part it was okay against the run. The pass defense had its problems – it allowed 243 yards per game – partly because there wasn’t enough of a steady pass rush.

It wasn’t what the D full of upperclassmen was supposed to do, and now there’s some reworking to be done. Seven of the top eight tacklers were seniors, but …

The top pass rusher is back. DE Tavion Woodward came up with a team-high five sacks with 8.5 tackles for loss, and now he’s the veteran leader of the front three.

Size is a huge concern up front – there isn’t much. 5-11, 298-pound senior Justen Ramsey will work on the nose, and 6-4, 292-pound senior Jack Sape will be on the other side of Woodward. Those two represent most of the bulk.

The back eight might have lost some of last year’s star, but enough are back to not be in total rebuild mode. CB Ameche Uzodinma is one of those seniors who finished in the top eight in tackles last year. He’s back, and so is Malcolm Lee at one of the safety spots after coming up with 50 stops.

The linebacking corps loses top tackler Jaylin Thomas, but it’s in good shape round Clayton Coll, a good inside linebacker who should be one of the team’s leading tackler.

Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ball State Top 10 Players | Ball State Schedule

Ball State Cardinals: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

CFN Preseason All-MAC Football Team, Top 30 Players: Preview 2022

Who are the best players in the MAC going into the 2022 college football season? They’re highlighted in the CFN 2022 Preseason All-MAC team and top 30 players.

Who are the best players in the MAC going into the 2022 college football season? They’re highlighted in the CFN 2022 Preseason All-MAC team and top 30 players.


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2022 Preseason CFN MAC Offensive Player of the Year

RB Lew Nichols, Soph. Central Michigan

Coming off a strong 2020 averaging close to seven yards per carry with over 500 rushing yards, he was all but unstoppable in 2021.

The 5-10, 220-pounder led the nation with 1,848 rushing yards and over 142 per game with 16 rushing scores and two receiving touchdowns. Steady, he came up with over 130 yards in each of the last eight games, and once again he’s going to be the featured star of the attack.

2022 Preseason CFN MAC Defensive Player of the Year

LB Jamal Hines, Sr. Toledo

The three-time All-MAC defender – First Team last season – is a true hybrid who can do a little of everything right. He’s an outside linebacker, but he’s really an edge rushing defensive end who’ll live behind the line for stretches.

The 6-3, 250-pounder made 88 tackles with ten sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and broke up eight passes. With all his experience and all his skill, he’s about to be an all-star gamewrecker again.

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-MAC Team: Offense

QB Dequan Finn, Soph. Toledo

RB Lew Nichols, Soph. Central Michigan

RB Sean Tyler, Jr. Western Michigan

WR Dante Cephas, Jr. Kent State

WR Trayvon Rudolph, Soph. Northern Illinois

TE Joel Wilson, Jr. Central Michigan

OT Brian Dooley, Jr. Eastern Michigan

OG Sidy Sow, Sr. Eastern Michigan

C Jake Gideon, Soph. Western Michigan

OG Logan Zschemitz, Soph. Northern Illinois

OT Nick Rosi, Jr. Toledo

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-MAC Team: Defense

DE Karl Brooks, Sr. Bowling Green

DT James Ester, Soph. Northern Illinois

DT Daymond Williams, Sr. Buffalo

DE Jose Ramirez, Jr. Eastern Michigan

LB Jamal Hines, Sr. Toledo

LB Corvin Moment, Sr. Western Michigan

LB James Patterson, Sr. Buffalo

CB Jordan Gandy, Jr. Northern Illinois

S CJ Brown, Soph. Northern Illinois

S Maxen Hook, Soph. Toledo

CB Donte Kent, Soph. Central Michigan

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-MAC Team: Special Teams

PK Andrew Glass, Soph. Kent State

P Luke Elzinga, Soph. Central Michigan

KR Trayvon Rudolph, Soph. Northern Illinois

PR Jhaylin Embry, Soph. Bowling Green

CFN 2022 Team Previews
East Akron | Bowlilng Green | Buffalo
Kent State |
Miami University | Ohio
West  Ball State | Central Mich | Eastern Mich
Northern Illinois | Toledo | Western Michigan
MAC Predictions For Every Game | CFN Preview 2022
Bowl Projections | Preseason Rankings

College Football News 2022 Preseason Top 30 MAC Players

30. Karl Brooks, DE Sr. Bowling Green

29. Bryce Houston, LB Jr. Ohio

28. Jordan Gandy, CB Jr. Northern Illinois

27. Jeslord Boateng, LB Jr. Akron

26. Jordan Anderson, S Jr. Bowling Green

25. Mac Hippenhammer, WR Sr. Miami University

24. Daniel Richardson, QB Soph. Central Michigan

23. Brian Dooley, OT Jr. Eastern Michigan

22. Yo’Heinz Tyler, WR Sr. Ball State

21. Tariq Speights, LB Jr. Eastern Michigan

20. Daymond Williams, NT Sr. Buffalo

19. La’Darius Jefferson, RB Sr. Western Michigan

18. Matthew Salopek, LB Soph. Miami University

17. Maxen Hook, S Soph. Toledo

16. Trayvon Rudolph, WR Soph. Northern Illinois

15. Desjuan Johnson, LB Sr. Toledo

14. Marquez Cooper, RB Jr. Kent State

13. Kurtis Rourke, QB Jr. Ohio

12. Sean Tyler, RB Jr. Western Michigan

11. Sidy Sow, OG Sr. Eastern Michigan

10. Dante Cephas, WR, Jr. Kent State

9. Brett Gabbert, QB Jr. Miami University

8. Darren Anders, LB Sr. Bowling Green

7. Brandon Martin, LB Sr. Ball State

6. Dequan Finn, QB Soph. Toledo

5. CJ Brown, S Soph. Northern Illinois

4. James Patterson, LB Sr. Buffalo

3. Corvin Moment, LB Sr. Western Michigan

2. Jamal Hines, LB Sr. Toledo

1. Lew Nichols, RB Soph. Central Michigan

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CFN 2022 Team Previews
East Akron | Bowlilng Green | Buffalo
Kent State |
Miami University | Ohio
West  Ball State | Central Mich | Eastern Mich
Northern Illinois | Toledo | Western Michigan
MAC Predictions For Every Game | CFN Preview 2022
Bowl Projections | Preseason Rankings

Ball State Cardinals Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?


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Ball State Cardinals Preview
Offense, Defense Breakdown | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will HappenSchedule 

College Football Rankings, Season Predictions: MAC Spring Version 2022

MAC college football rankings and predictions with realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis – the 2022 spring version.

MAC college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis – the 2022 spring version.


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It’s the MAC. It’s the conference where worst-to-first is the norm, with 2020 winless Northern Illinois winning the MAC championship in 2021, everyone can beat anyone else, and Toledo will end up somewhere in the middle of it all.

It’s about as settled as the league has been in a long time with the strength still in the West, Buffalo about to be better in the East, and with Akron and Bowling Green still questionable.

Again, though, it’s the MAC. The Zips or Falcons could end up in Detroit in January playing for the title.

The rankings are based on how good the teams should be and not the final projected records. Keeping in mind that this all could/might/will change when we make the final calls in August …

2022 College Football Schedules By Teams: All 131 Schools

Georgia State vs Ball State: TaxAct Camellia Bowl Prediction, Game Preview

Georgia State vs Ball State: TaxAct Camellia Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might or might not win.

Georgia State vs Ball State: TaxAct Camellia Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch, Saturday, December 25


Georgia State vs Ball State: TaxAct Camellia Bowl How To Watch

Date: Saturday, December 25
Game Time: 2:30 pm ET
Venue: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
How To Watch: ESPN, Live stream on ESPN+
Records: Ball State (6-6), Georgia State (7-5)

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Georgia State vs Ball State TaxAct Camellia Bowl Preview

There are few more even-looking bowl games of the season – it should make for an entertaining, competitive battle if everything goes according to form.

Ball State struggled late in the season with three losses in the last five games, but it’s got a good offensive line, the defense takes the ball away, and it doesn’t beat itself with a whole lot of big mistakes.

Georgia State ripped through the second half of the year with six wins in the last seven games, and like Ball State it’s got a great offensive line, is great at forcing turnovers, and it doesn’t beat itself with a whole lot of big mistakes.

The Panthers don’t control the clock for all that long, but it’s able to make the most of its possessions with their quick style – and its defense’s inability to come up with enough third down stops. It’s the exact same thing for the Cardinals.

The main difference is with the rushing offense. Georgia State’s attack averaged 225 yards per game with consistent production after the first two games of the season. On the other side, Ball State needs to generate its own breaks and has to win the turnover margin to win.

Why Georgia State, Ball State Will Win
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History
TaxAct Camellia Bowl Top Players To Know

NEXT: Why Georgia State Will Win, Why Ball State Will Win, TaxAct Camellia Bowl Prediction

Buffalo vs Ball State Prediction, Game Preview

Buffalo vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win this Tuesday.

Buffalo vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, November 23


Buffalo vs Ball State How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, November 23
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Buffalo (4-7), Ball State (5-6)
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Today’s Best Bet to Lock in Now

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Buffalo vs Ball State Game Preview


Why Buffalo Will Win

The Bulls desperately need to end their season on a high note.

It’s ben a rough run for the defense, but to pull this off and end 5-7 instead of 4-8, it’s all about controlling the clock. Buffalo has a terrific running game that averages close to 200 yards per game and converts on third down after third down.

They lead the MAC in sacks, they’re great in time of possession, and  on the flip side, Ball State doesn’t do nearly enough to get behind the line, it doesn’t control the clock, and the run D is spotty, to be nice.

College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 13

Why Ball State Will Win

The Buffalo defense has gone bye-bye.

It struggled throughout the season and hasn’t been consistent, but just when it needed to rise up it crashed, allowing over 1,500 yards and 134 points over the last three games.

The Ball State defense hasn’t been any better lately, but the offense has the running game to point on a Bull run defense that should be a whole lot better considering the pressure it generates from the outside.

Yes, UB is great at rushing the passer, but …

NFL Expert Picks: CFN Week 11

What’s Going To Happen

The Ball State offense is good enough to give all the parts of the passing game time to work.

Both teams are having major problems in what appeared to be promising seasons, but Ball State is still alive for a bowl game. It’s not going to repeat as the MAC champion, but going to a bowl again and avoiding a losing regular season will be the extra juice it needs.

Buffalo’s defense will be a tad worse than Ball State’s

College Football Schedule: Week 13 Predictions, Lines

Buffalo vs Ball State Prediction, Lines

Ball State 34, Buffalo 24
Line: Ball State -6.5, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2

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MAC Football Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, How To Watch: Week 12

MAC Week 12 college football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings. Toledo at Ohio, Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green at Miami University, Northern Illinois at Buffalo, Central Michigan at Ball State, Kent State at Akron

MAC football predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 12 of the season.


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Click on each game for game preview & prediction

MAC Results So Far
SU: 67-19, ATS: 47-36, Point Total: 44-39-2

Tuesday, November 16

Toledo at Ohio

7:00, ESPN+
Line: Toledo -7, o/u: 54.5

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

7:30, ESPN2
Line: Western Michigan -5.5, o/u: 66

Bowling Green at Miami University

8:00, ESPNU
Line: Miami University -17, o/u: 51.5

Week 12 Schedule, Predictions, Game Times

Wednesday, November 17

Northern Illinois at Buffalo

7:00, ESPN2
Line: Northern Illinois -1.5, o/u: 62.5

Central Michigan at Ball State

7:00, ESPNU
Line: Ball State -1.5, o/u: 61

Saturday, November 20

Kent State at Akron

12:00, ESPN+
Line: Kent State -13.5, o/u: 75

College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

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Central Michigan vs Ball State Prediction, Game Preview

Central Michigan vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Wednesday night

Central Michigan vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch: Wednesday, November 17


Central Michigan vs Ball State How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, November 17
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Central Michigan (6-4), Ball State (5-5)
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Today’s Best Bet to Lock in Now

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Central Michigan vs Ball State Game Preview


Why Central Michigan Will Win

There’s a chance Central Michigan can still win the MAC West by winning its last two games and Northern Illinois losing its last two. Unfortunately, NIU is playing Buffalo at the same time this is happening – there might be a wee bit of scoreboard watching happening.

The Chippewas lost to NIU in a 39-38 thriller a few weeks ago, but that’s been the only blip over the last five games as the offense has been consistent through the air and good enough running the ball to keep up with the Kent States and Toledos of the world.

Ball State doesn’t have much of a downfield passing game, it doesn’t control the clock, and …

College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

Why Ball State Will Win

The offense is running all over everyone lately.

The Cardinals were right there with Northern Illinois only to lose 30-29 – but they ran for 246 yards.

After doing nothing on the ground for most of the year, they’ve hit 200 yards in three of the last four games to balance out a decent enough offense that’s more effective than the overall stats.

Central Michigan won’t pick off a whole lot of passes and it’s more than happy to give up close to 300 yards a game through the air, but …

What’s Going To Happen

The Central Michigan run defense has been a rock. It allowed over 200 yards to Missouri to start the season, and that’s been it – only Northern Illinois has come close to two bills.

However, Ball State is finally back in Muncie after playing four of its last five games on the road, and at 5-5 it needs this a whole lot more than 6-4 Central Michigan does.

The defending MAC champs will rise up defensively in the fourth quarter in yet another close game – the last four Ball State games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

College Football Schedule: Week 12 Predictions, Lines

Central Michigan vs Ball State Prediction, Lines

Ball State 30, Central Michigan 27
Line: Ball State -1.5, o/u: 61
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

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1: Adele 30

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Bowl Projections | Heisman Race
College Football Playoff Chase, Who’s Alive?
Coach Hot Seat Top 10 | Bowl Bubble: Who’s In, Out