Buffalo vs. Ball State Pick
Can Buffalo cover as a massive road favorite when it takes on Ball State tonight at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Buffalo is favored on the road, as the Bulls are getting odds of -20 points against Ball State. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 57 points. Ball State has three straight meetings with Buffalo, but the Bulls have covered the spread in three of the last four encounters. The public is currently putting 72 percent of the wagers on Buffalo on the road. Tonight’s game takes place from Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana and will air live on the CBS Sports Network.
Buffalo is coming off a 38-28 win over Bowling Green at home last week to improve to 4-6 on the season and 2-4 in the MAC. The Bulls are 8-2 against the spread this season, but have failed to cover in two of their last three games. Buffalo is putting up 27.3 points and 426.8 yards per game this season. Tyree Jackson has thrown for 1,452 yards and six touchdowns while running for 220 yards and four scores in place of the injured starting QB, Drew Anderson. Anthony Johnson has 63 catches for 1,048 yards and eight touchdowns while Emmanuel Reed is the leading rusher with 654 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Buffalo is allowing 25 points and 402.2 yards per game.
Ball State has lost seven straight games to fall to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in the MAC. Their six conference losses have all been by at least 20 points as they are 3-7 against the spread this season. Injuries have been a problem for the offense, as the unit averages just 18.4 points and 329.4 yards per game. Drew Plitt has stepped in recently, throwing for 355 yards with three touchdowns over three games. Caleb Huntley is leading the offense with 703 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Justin Hall has added 65 passes for 653 yards and two scores. Defensively, Ball State is allowing 42 points and 422.1 yards per game.
It’s scary to think of giving up so many points with Buffalo on the road, but Ball State hasn’t given much reason to believe that it can cover that spread. They have lost every MAC game by at least 28 points and each MAC home game by at least 41 points. The Cardinals have a terrible defense and an offense that can’t possibly compete with the scoring pace opponents are putting up. I see Buffalo adding to the woes tonight.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: BUFFALO -20