MACtion football on a Tuesday night is the best way to kick off Week 10, and we have a good one when the Kent State Golden Flashes welcome the Ball State Cardinals to Dix Stadium.
Ball State saw a three-game winning streak get snapped at home to Eastern Michigan, while Kent State ended a two-game losing skid against Akron.
Who will win this MACtion clash? Find out in our free best college football picks and predictions for this Week 10 showdown between Ball State and Kent State on Tuesday, November 1.
Ball State vs Kent State best odds
Ball State vs Kent State picks and predictions
We have several talented offensive players featured Tuesday night, and my best bet is for this contest to exceed the 62-point total.
The Cardinals' rushing attack is led by sophomore RB Carson Steele, who has scampered for 100+ yards in four of his past five, and his 890 rushing yards rank 13th in the country. He’s up against a Golden Flashes rushing defense surrendering 166 yards per contest.
Ball State QB John Paddock is having an excellent junior season, throwing for 1985 yards with 14 TDs. However, his nine interceptions are something of a fly in the ointment. The Cardinals have five with over 200 receiving yards, led by Jayshon Jackson with 633 yards and two TDs, and TEs Brady Hunt and Tanner Koziol, who have combined for 496 receiving yards and nine TD receptions.
Kent State allows 287 passing yards per game and gave up 383, including a pair of picks, in its victory over Akron.
The Golden Flashes have a big back of their own in Marquez Cooper, who has scampered for 100+ yards in three of five, and his 845 yards from scrimmage is 17th in the nation. Ball State allows 180 rushing yards per game and 151 in their loss to Eastern Michigan.
Junior QB Collin Schlee missed the game against Akron but isn’t on the injury report entering Week 10. He’s slung it for 1,548 yards with eight TD passes and four interceptions and has wideouts Dante Cephas and Devontez Walker with a combined 1347 yards and 10 TD catches.
Ball State plays decent passing defense, allowing 210 passing yards, and held EMU to under 180 yards last week. The Cardinals have 16 sacks and could make a dent in a Golden Flashes O-line allowing 14 sacks this season.
Neither side plays good overall defense, and the offensive talent on this field will outshine any defensive effort. Steele and Cooper are two of the best in the country, running behind solid offensive lines and both players know how to find daylight and break off long gains.
That opens up each offenses passing games, and we have two solid QBs with big-play wideouts against defenses that can be beaten through the air. Cephas and Walker are in the Top 20 in receiving yards, and what’s been a relatively capable Ball State secondary will have difficulty checking the Golden Flashes' speedsters. Look for this one to exceed the total.
My best bet: Over 62 (-105 at PointsBet)
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Ball State vs Kent State spread analysis
Kent State is a -4.5 point home favorite in college football odds, and I’m leaning toward taking the Golden Flashes to cover the spread.
Had Schlee played, the Golden Flashes probably win last week and would be in the hunt for a MAC title. Frosh QB Devin Kargman threw a pair of TD passes without an interception in Schlee’s absence and would be the starter if Schlee doesn’t suit up.
Paddock is a good QB for Ball State, but he turns over the ball far too often and has four TDs against three picks over his three away games. Two picks came on opening night at Tennessee, and the junior signal-caller has thrown three interceptions over his past two games.
Ball State is 1-4-0 over its last five meetings, and the home team is 6-1-0 ATS over its previous seven. Additionally, the Cardinals are 1-2-0 ATS as the away side, while Kent State is 3-0-0 ATS at Dix Stadium.
Ball State vs Kent State Over/Under analysis
I've already discussed why the Over is my best bet, but here are some additional reasons for that position.
Kent State leads the MAC in total yards (433.9) and rushing yards per contest (209).
The Cardinals defense is eighth in total yards (396.5) and fourth in points allowed (28). Kent State is 11th in total yards (455) and eighth in points surrendered per contest (32).
Ball State has three players averaging at least eight tackles, while Kent State has two. The lack of solid tackling will make life hard against the numerous skilled offensive players for both schools.
Ball State vs Kent State betting trend to know
The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings. Find more NCAA betting trends for Ball State vs. Kent State.
Ball State vs Kent State game info
| Location: | Dix Stadium, Kent, OH |
| Date: | Tuesday, November 1, 2022 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPNU |
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