Ball State vs Ohio 11/29/24 Game Information

Ball State vs Ohio Preview

Ohio (8-3, 6-1 in MAC) hosts Ball State (3-8, 2-5 in MAC) in the final Regular Season game for both teams. The Bobcats are hoping for two more games in December, the 2024 MAC Championship Game on December 7 at Ford Field and Detroit and a Bowl game. Right now, three teams sit with 6-1 records in the league in Ohio, Bowling Green, and Miami (Ohio). In its last game, Ohio defeated Toledo, 24-7 for its 4th straight win. The Bobcats only loss in conference came to Miami (30-20). In their last game, the Cardinals lost to Bowling Green by 25 (38-13), their third straight setback. Ohio is 12-14 lifetime vs Ball State, winning the last meeting, 32-18 in Muncie, Indiana in 2022 and the Bobcats have won the last 4 in the series, by 14, 13, 38, and 17 points. As bad as Ball State’s defense is this campaign, Ohio may put 40 or 50 on the board vs the Blocking Lettermans. Note the early 12 noon EST (9 am PST) start time on Black Friday.

Ball State Defense is One of the Worst in FBS

Ball State (7-4-0 ATS, 8-2-1 O/U) has been one of the best Over teams in FBS, and with the third-worst Scoring Defense in the land (39.9 ppg, #131)—fellow MAC school Kent State is the worst at 44.2 ppg—it’s no surprise the Cardinals play so many Overs. This team has allowed 60 TD and may have just given up another one as you read this sentence. Knocking off Ohio would be a dream way to end the season for Ball State (+450 Moneyline), but the Site and situation won’t help. QB Kadin Semonza (2,567 passing yards, 22 TD, 10 Interceptions), RB Braedin Sloan (566 rushing yards, 4 TD, and WR Tanner Koziol (751 receiving yards, 7 TD) are pretty good at generating offense, but because the defense is so weak, this team is involved in many shootouts and blowouts, somewhat common in the wacky MAC.

Ball State Betting Trends

• Ball State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
• The Over 7-2-1 in the Cardinals last 10 overall
• Ball State is 2-8 SU in its last 10 (beat NIU, Kent State)
• The Over is 5-1 in the Cardinals last 6 games on the Road
• Only 1 Ball State MAC game was decided by 11+ points (BGSU Week 13) 

Ohio Primed For a Black Friday Blowout Here?

Ohio (7-4-0 ATS, 5-6-0 O/U) has a very good ATS record like Ball State but the Bobcats play much better defense and that’s where this game will be won, and maybe covered. Ohio (-600 Moneyline) scored 27.3 ppg (#82) and has the 19th best Rushing attack in FBS (205.1 ypg), but where this team butters its bread is with the defense, which ranks 15th in the nation allowing just 18.5 ppg. QB Parker Navarro (1,765 passing yards, 7 TD), RB Anthony Tyus III (851 rushing yards, 8 TD), and WR Coleman Owen (890 receiving yards, 5 TD spearhead the Ohio offense, and to get the best games and opportunities in December, they will need to score some points in this one and avoid a big upset.

Ohio Betting Trends

• Ohio is 4-0-0 SU/ATS in its last 4 games overall 
• The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 Ohio Home games
• Ohio has won by 17, 25, 41, and 29 its last 4 games (28.0 ppg) 
• The Under is 3-0 in the last 3 Ohio games 
• The Bobcats are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games

Ball State vs Ohio Pick and Prediction

This Ball State vs Ohio prediction and free NCAAF pick will back the Home team and lay the lumber for a number of reasons. First, we have a good team playing a bad team. Second, the game is at Ohio. Third, this game really means something to the Bobcats and means nothing to Ball State. And fourth, the Cardinals defense is abysmal. With the Weather forecast in Athens a little above freezing (33°) on Friday and the Winds (12 mph) making things hard, the Under would seem to be the best look, but Ohio has played too well this season to lay an egg in the last Regular Season game of the year and should have around 24 points by halftime. A 38-17 Ohio win could be in the cards. 

Kevin’s Pick: Ohio -14.5