Ball State-Virginia
Time: NOON ET, Oct 5 2013
Spread: VA -4
O/U: 48

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Ball State is building on an impressive 2012 campaign with an equally nice 2013. The Cardinals are 4-1 with the lone loss a 7-point defeat by North Texas. Ball State has one of the best pass offenses in the country, ranking 10th with 335.8 yards per game. Senior Keith Wenning is having his most impressive season yet, with a 152.3 QB rating and 1,650 yards in five games. He’s been consistently accurate over the last three seasons, and threw 65.4 percent for completion last season.

Wenning’s main receiving target Willie Snead has been very productive. Snead has 611 yards on 35 receptions with four touchdowns. Jamill Smith and Jordan Williams have been active as well, are both approaching 400 yards on the season. In the backfield, Horactio Banks has been pretty good, averaging 6.4 yards per carry on his 55 attempts this season. Ball State has the offense to keep this game close, but college football oddsmakers do predict Virginia to be victorious.

Virginia is 2-2 on the season with victories over BYU and VMI and losses to then-No. 2 Oregon and Pitt. This week against Ball State will provide a chance to add cushion before going to another tough one next week against No. 25 Maryland.

Virginia’s David Watford has improved this year in his sophomore season. The QB threw for just 40.5 percent completion in limited play last year, but this year is at 59.3 percent. Troubling, however, is his 6 INTs and 7 sacks.

Kevin Parks has been fair in the backfield for Virginia and has 294 yards on 72 carries. He’s also accounted for three of the seven rushing TDs scored by the Cavaliers. Watford gets in on the run action, too, and has scrambled for 63 yards on 37 carries.

BAL

6-1 ATS in last 7 OCT; UNDER 4-1 in last 5 following SU win; OVER 10-3-1 in last 14 after accumulating more than 450 total yards previous game.

VIR

0-4 ATS in last 4 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards; UNDER 7-1 in last 8 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards; 1-6 ATS in last 7 after allowing less than 275 total yards in previous game.

Check out Maddux Sports’ season pick packages for the 2013 college football season!