Time: 8 PM EST, Saturday, Sept 15
TV: Big Ten Network
Spread: IND -3
Total: 63.5
M/L: IND -150, BAL +130
Betting Odds from Bookmaker
BALL STATE
Ball State had their hands full with nationally ranked Clemson last week, nearly being doubled in points, as they lost 27-52 to a squad college football oddsmakers gave them little chance against, anyway.
Things will be different this week against Indiana. The Cardinals find themselves only three point underdogs in a matchup that will be aired on the Big Ten Network.
If the Cardinals find a way to pull the small upset, it will be due to their rushing game, which ranks 8th in the nation with 290.5 rushing yards per game.
The diminutive 5’10” sophomore Jahwan Edwards leads the way there. In the opening night win over Eastern Michigan, he rushed for 200 yards on 20 carries, with three TDs. Last week wasn’t quite as impressive, but that was against the tough defense of Clemson. Against the Tigers, he had 54 yards on 11 carries, and couldn’t manage a touchdown. Indiana will have to be very careful not to let Edwards get into his groove, as that could easily result in a Ball State blowout, rather than the close game predicted by college football oddsmakers.
Phenom freshman Horactio Banks has been impressive too. He rushed for 120 yards against Clemson, and provided two TDs. He has yet to make a single reception, so don’t expect Banks to run any pass routes. His speciality is splitting the middle, and his speed makes it possible. In the game against Clemson, he carried the ball only seven times, but went for an average rush of 17.1 yards, accented by a 54 yard rush.
Ball State has the potential to win by a good bit, despite being three point underdogs. At the time of issue (Friday, 6:30 PM EST), 56.6% of bettors are picking Ball State to cover the spread.
INDIANA
Indiana has yet to face any legitimate opponents. Opening night, they faced in-state rival Indiana State and won by a touchdown. Week two, they slaughtered UMass, 45-6, in a game in which they accumulated 596 total yards, 263 of which were in the air.
Sophomore QB Cameron Coffman made his first start of the year and went 16 of 22 on passes for 159 yards. His 72.7% completion ratio along with the fact he didn’t throw any interceptions bodes well for this Indiana team, which ranked 5th in the Big Ten in passing yardage last season with 199.4 yards per game.
Kevin Wilson is in only his second year as coach, but has already improved the squad, despite their 1-11 finish last year. This season Athlon magazine predicts a 3-9 record, but all indications are that the team may be better than that, after winning their first two games. We’ll find out how much better they actually are in October, as they square off against MSU and OSU in the first two weeks of the month.
Betting Trends:
Cardinals are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 following an SU loss of 20+. They are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 overall and 6-1 ATS In their last 7 on turf. They are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 on the road.
Hoosiers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. They are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 following an SU win and they are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in the previous game. They are 0-3-1 ATS in their lat 4 after accumulating 450+ total yards in the previous contest.
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