Eastern Michigan at Ball St – Preview and Prediction
BALL ST 1.5 E MICHIGAN (59.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Ball St -1 Sagarin ratings – Ball St -3.5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Ball St E 30.5 E Michigan 29
Massey Ratings Projected Score: E Michigan 30 Ball St 28
The Game
Like we always say, the only thing better than the best day ever is Tuesday MACtion !
We expect a very competitive game in Muncie, Indiana as the Ball St Cardinals host the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Both teams are desperately trying to cobble together the six wins required for bowl eligibility. E Michigan just needs one more victory as they sit at 5-4. Ball St is in a really tough spot with a record of 4-5 and two tough games left after this one (at Toledo, at JUGGERNAUT Miami Ohio). Let’s get it on.
The Match-Up
Ball St offense vs E Michigan defense
The Cardinals probably have the best skill position player in the game in RB James Gilbert (1,142 yards, 11 TD) who is going to be a handful for the Eagles to stop. E Michigan gave up over 200 yards rushing at home to Miami Ohio last week, and the week prior to that allowed 114 yards to W Michigan RB J Franklin. Ball St is ranked 3rd in the MAC in rushing yards per game and yards per carry and we feel that they can move the ball using their preferred style of attack. QB Riley Neal has been a bit disappointing this season (7 TD vs 9 INT) but faces an E Michigan defense that has only recorded 6 INT all season. MEGALOCKS EXTRA DEEP MAC INSIDERS note that Ball St has scored 20+ in 9/9 games this season and should be able to score in the 20s once again without too much of a problem.
E Michigan offense vs Ball St defense
The Eagles’ rushing attack has been derailed this season mostly due to some injuries at the position. They are ranked #102 in the FBS in rushing yards per game and it looks to us like a game where the Eagles are going to have to let ‘er rip in the passing game. The good news is that Ball St has been torn to shreds the past two weeks (over 1,000 total yards allowed; 2 QBs over 300Y passing). Even Buffalo threw for over 300 on them three weeks ago. QB Brogan Roback is more than capable of putting up a big game with a deep set of WRs. Ball St has only intercepted 5 passes all season. Prognosis: passing yards.
MEGA MACtion MORSELS
Ball St has won 10 of the past 11 meetings between these two teams….although it is important to note that this Eagles team is a lot better than the typical squad they have put on the field….Ball St home games are 7-2 to the under L9 #smallsamplesize…..The Eagles’ wins over Wyoming, Charlotte (!) and Ohio look good right now don’t they ?…..This is the second time this year that E Michigan has faced a third road game in four weeks….Last time they managed to beat Bowling Green (October 1).
Summary
This feels like a game that you would want 3+ points to take either squad against the number. Ball St should have success running the ball and that is always huge in closely matched games. On the flipside, while Ball St will be highly motivated to win their 5th game, the urgency on the E Michigan sideline will probably be off the charts. The last time and only time the Eagles made a bowl game was back in the 1987 California Bowl, and we all remember that one (Eagles 30-27 win over San Jose St).
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Lean: E Michigan on the ML if you can grab a positive number.