The Central Michigan Chippewas (6-4, 4-2 MAC) visit the Ball State Cardinals (5-5, 3-3) Wednesday at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Central Michigan vs. Ball State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Chippewas have scored a total of 96 points across the past two wins while allowing 30 points in each outing. CMU has scored 38 or more points, while allowing at least 30 in each of the past three games. It’s no surprise that the Over has connected in three straight outings.
The Cardinals were tripped up 30-29 at Northern Illinois last week, and Ball State is just 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS across the past three outings while the Under has hit in three in a row, too.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Central Michigan at Ball State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Central Michigan -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Ball State -103 (bet $103 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Central Michigan -1.5 (-117) | Ball State +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Central Michigan at Ball State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Central Michigan 35, Ball State 29
Money line
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (-117) has a rather powerful offense, and they’re balanced, too. QB Daniel Richardson has three playmakers in the pass game with WRs Kalil Pimpleton, Dallas Dixon and JaCorey Sullivan. The triumvirate have combined for 18 touchdown catches, and TE Joel Wilson has added five scores. Ball State (-103) doesn’t have the horses to keep up for a full 60 minutes.
Against the spread
Playing CENTRAL MICHIGAN -1.5 (-107) will cost you just a little bit less, and all they need to do is win by two. I expect this to be a close game early, before the Chippewas pull away in the second half. CMU is 3-1 ATS across the past four games, and Ball State +1.5 (-115) enters on an 0-3 ATS run, too.
Over/Under
The OVER 58.5 (-108) is the best play on the board, and the Chippewas should take care of most of this total on their own. This is a team averaging 44.7 PPG in the previous three outings, all Over results, while allowing 33.0 PPG during the stretch.
Ball State hasn’t been as giving on defense, and the Under is 3-0 in the past three for the Cards. However, it has scored 60 total points in the past two games, and they’ll be able to hang with Central for at least a little while.
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