MAC Showdown: Miami Ohio Redhawks vs. Ball State Cardinals
In a Tuesday evening MAC conference game, the Miami Ohio Redhawks (4-4, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U) will take on the Ball State Cardinals (5-3, 5-3 ATS, 6-1 O/U). Both teams are coming off victories in their last outings; Miami Ohio secured a 17-15 win at home against Ball State last year.
Miami Ohio Aims for Fourth Consecutive Victory
The Redhawks are riding a hot streak, looking to secure their fourth win in a row. After starting 0-3 due to a tough non-conference schedule, they’ve turned their season around with a 4-1 record in their recent games. Their latest victories include a 30-20 win over Ohio and a convincing 46-7 triumph against Central Michigan, where they were favored by 10.5 points. In MAC play, they stand at 3-1, having covered the spread in three of their last four conference games.
Quarterback Brett Gabbert has been consistent, not necessarily throwing for huge numbers but effectively managing the game. Against Central Michigan, he passed for 165 yards, adding to his season total of 1727 yards with a 13:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The rushing attack, led by Keyon Mozee, has been formidable, with Mozee hitting the 100-yard mark three times, including a 120-yard performance last week. The receiving corps, spearheaded by Cade McDonald and Javon Tracy, provides depth, with McDonald accumulating 507 yards this season.
Defensively, Miami Ohio has been impressive, holding opponents to 20 points or less in their last three MAC games, showcasing a robust pass defense ranked 24th nationally.
Ball State Cardinals Seek to Bolster MAC Record
The Cardinals are aiming to improve their conference record above the .500 mark. After a recent loss to Vanderbilt, they bounced back with a tight 25-23 victory over Northern Illinois, despite being significant underdogs. Ball State has managed to cover the spread in three of its last four MAC games.
Freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza has had a notable season, surpassing 250 passing yards in four games, with his latest effort being 211 yards against NIU. Senior running back Braedon Sloan has been effective on the ground, adding 51 yards in the last game to his season total of 502. The receiving game is led by junior Tanner Koziol, who has been a consistent target, amassing 580 yards.
However, the Cardinals’ defense has struggled, particularly against the pass, ranking 132nd, and even their rush defense at 101st has been subpar. This defensive weakness could be a significant factor against the Redhawks.
Game Prediction
Given the recent performances and statistical matchups, Miami Ohio’s robust defense against Ball State’s struggling pass defense could be decisive. The Redhawks should leverage their passing game against a vulnerable secondary.
Prediction: Miami Ohio Redhawks to cover the -10 spread.
