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The Ball State Cardinals and the Eastern Michigan Eagles will face off in a Mid-American clash at 2 p.m. ET Oct. 16 at Rynearson Stadium. These two teams come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous games.
It was all tied up 17-17 at the half for Ball State and the Western Michigan Broncos last week, but the Cardinals stepped up in the second half for a cozy 45-20 win. Ball State QB Drew Plitt was slinging it as he passed for four TDs and 310 yards on 25 attempts. Near the top of the highlight reel was Plitt's 75-yard TD bomb to WR Jalen McGaughy in the first quarter.
Ball State's defense was a presence as well, as it collected two interceptions and two fumbles. The picks came courtesy of LB Jaylin Thomas and LB Clayton Coll.
EMU can thank their lucky stars for their victory over the Miami (OH) RedHawks last week. The final score was a hard-fought 13-12. No one had a standout game offensively for EMU, but TE Bryson Cannon led the way with one touchdown.
Most of the squad's points came courtesy of special teams, which contributed seven. K Chad Ryland booted in two field goals, the longest a 47-yarder in the second quarter, which ultimately accounted for the difference in the game.
This next matchup is expected to be close, with Ball State going off at just a 1.5-point favorite. They might be worth taking a chance on against the spread as they are currently on a two-game streak of ATS wins.
The wins brought the Cardinals up to 3-3 and the Eagles to 4-2. A couple defensive stats to keep an eye on: Ball State is 220th worst in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed, with 11 on the season. EMUs have had an even harder time: they are stumbling into the game with the 203rd most rushing touchdowns allowed in the nation, having given up ten on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
