Ball State at Buffalo

Written by Steve Janus

This Friday the Ball State Cardinals will go on the road to take on the Buffalo Bills in MAC action. The Cardinals snapped a four game losing streak with a thrilling 37-30 double-overtime win over Akron last week, while the Bulls struggles continued, as they lost to Ohio 34-17 for their fourth straight defeat. The oddsmakers don’t seem to think the losing streak will continue, as the current college football odds have the Bulls favored by 3-points over the Cardinals at home.

Ball State (3-7, 2-4 MAC): The Cardinals offense has struggled to put points on the board this season, averaging just over 22 points a game, but that wasn’t the case in overtime last week, as Ball State scored on both overtime possessions to take home the win.

After Akron scored at touchdown on their first overtime possession, quarterback Keith Wenning connected with Jack Tomlinson on a 24 yard touchdown to keep the Cardinals alive, and then hooked up with David Schneider on a 19 yard pass and catch for what ended up being the game winning score. Wenning had just one touchdown and three interceptions heading into extra time, but made the plays when they counted. Tomlinson had a big day receiving, catching seven passes for 175 yards and two scores.

Defensively the Cardinals struggled once again, but just like Wenning, they made the plays when it mattered most. After the Cardinals took a seven point lead in the second overtime, Joshua Howard intercepted Patrick Nicely to end the game. Ball State has allowed at least 30 points in five of their last six games. Akron is one of the worst offensive teams in the country, so even though the Bulls come in averaging just 15 points a game, they figure to have plenty of success against this unit.

Buffalo (2-7, 1-4 MAC): The Bulls only win in their last eight games was a 28-26 win over Bowling Green, and in their seven losses this season they have lost by an average of 24 points a game, so while the Bulls come in favored, the odds aren’t exactly in their favor.

Buffalo has scored just 40 points in their last 10 games, but the offense figures to pick it up a notch this week against the Cardinals defense. Akron had scored 37 points in their previous four games before dropping 30 on Ball State. Quarterback Alex Zordich completed just 8 of 26 attempts for 84 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the Bulls last game against Ohio, and also led the team with 59 yards and a score on the ground. Zordich will be the key to the Bulls winning this week, as he should have his best game of the season.

Defensively the Bulls come in 88th in the country allowing just over 30 points a game, but they have played better on that side of the ball than you might think. Buffalo ranks 39th in the country allowing just 342 yards a game, so while the Bulls have given up a lot of points, they have the potential to play better on this side of the ball.

Looking at the Odds: Two bad teams going at it this week, and I think the edge has to go to the home to team in this one. While the Bulls can play good defense, I don’t know if its possible for Ball State to stop anyone this season. I look for Buffalo to feed off the crowd, and win this one easily. My final score prediction is Buffalo 28, Ball State 20.

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