Ball State Cardinals vs Akron Zips Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 11/02/2021

by Amedeus Mastrangelo

Monday, Nov 01, 2021
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Venue:  InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field, Akron, OH
Where to Watch:  CBS Sports

 

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Ball State -19.5, Akron +19.5; Over/Under:  57.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Ball State -19, Akron +19; Over/Under:  57.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Ball State -19.5, Akron +19.5; Over/Under:  57.5 points
 

Season Record

Ball State Cardinals:  4-4 (3rd place, MAC West)
Akron Zips:  2-6 (5th place, MAC East)
 
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Ben Burns is on a RUN of 29-12 L41 (10*) PLAYS! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

 

Ball State Cardinals vs Akron Zips Preview and Analysis

 
Recent Form
Ball State Cardinals:  lost at home on Oct. 23 against the Miami-OH RedHawks 24-17.
Akron Zips:  lost at home on Oct. 23 against the Buffalo Bulls 45-10.
 
 
 

Ball State Cardinals Analysis

Ball State is coming into this game with a 4-4 record overall and they are 2-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their 5th conference matchup of the year and they are not in a good spot right now with a 2-2 record in their conference games this season. Their 3 game winning streak was snapped in their last game coming into this one as they lost to Miami-OH. They were trailing for most of the first half in that game and took a lead out of halftime in the third quarter by 1 point but they could not hang on as they gave up a score in the fourth quarter going on to lose that game. Drew Plitt was alright in that game but he also struggled at times as he completed 22/34 passes for 227 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Carson Steele led the team in rushing in that game with 49 yards on 11 carries but they did not really get much of a run game going in that one. Jayshon Jackson had a nice day as he led the team in receiving yards with 121 and 1 touchdown on 8 receptions. Justin Hall caught the other touchdown pass in that game. Bryce Cosby led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assisted ones while J.T. Wahee was right behind with 5 solo tackles and 1 assisted one. Christian Albright had the only sack in that game for the defense while no one was able to come away with an interception for them in that one. They have scored 196 points in their 8 games this season averaging 24.5 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 223 points against them allowing 27.9 PPG. Their offense is averaging 335 YPG while their defense is allowing 394.5 YPG.
 
 

Akron Zips Analysis

Akron is coming into this game with a 2-6 record overall and they are 1-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. This will be the 4th conference matchup on their schedule this year and they have already fallen behind the mark with a 1-3 record in their conference games this season. Akron is on a 2 game losing streak coming into this game out of their bye week after losing their last game before their bye to Buffalo. They were dominated in that game trailing right from the start as they went on to lose that game 45-10. DJ Irons did not play well at all as he completed 5/13 passes for 66 yards and 1 interception. Jonzell Norrils had a nice day on the ground in that game as he led the team in rushing with 155 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 carries. Konata Mumpfield led the receivers with 36 yards on 3 receptions in what was a very quiet day for the receivers. Andrew Behm led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 8 assisted ones. No one on the defense recorded a sack in that game and no one came away with an interception for them either. They have scored 159 points in their 8 games this season averaging 19.9 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 311 points against them allowing 38.9 PPG. Their offense is averaging 336.1 YPG while their defense is allowing 449.1 YPG.
 

 

Ball State vs Akron Prediction

Akron is coming into this game as a 19.5 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. They just got smashed by 35 points against Buffalo in their last game but the Bulls played a really good game against them in that one. Akron is coming out of their bye week and will be very prepared for this game and will try hard to make it a close one. Ball State have not really been playing that well either in their recent games as they just suffered a loss at home to Miami-Ohio. This is way too many points for Ball State to cover on the road here so the best bet to make in this game is on Akron to cover the spread as they will make it a closer game.
 
Ball State Akron Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Tuesday, November 2, 2021 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Ball State 35 Akron 24.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today.  And if you enjoyed this Ball State Cardinals Akron Zips prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
 

NCAAF Betting Trends

 
Ball State Cardinals: 135-133 ATS in all games. 82-61 ATS in road games. 88-84 ATS after playing a conference game. 50-35 ATS off 1 or more consecutive unders.
Akron Zips: 118-150 ATS in all games. 23-41 ATS as a home underdog. 50-72 ATS in home games. 76-107 ATS against conference opponents. 75-95 ATS after playing a conference game. 
 

Key Injuries

 
Ball State Cardinals:  D. Koch (TE) Ques Tues - Undisclosed injury. K. Slaven (OL) Ques Tues - Undisclosed injury. T. Evans (RB) Out indefinitely - Leg injury.
Akron Zips:  K. Nelson (QB) Ques Tues - Undisclosed injury. T. Dollard (RB) Out indefinitely - Suspension.
 

Notable Quotes

 
"It has us for six penalties for 68 yards. It seemed like a lot more than that, that's all I can say." - Mike Neu on his team’s discipline in their last game against Miami-OH.
 
 
“You have to give all the credit to the guys out there on the field.” - Tom Arth on his team after their win over BGSU.
 

Starting Lineups

 
Ball State Cardinals
WR Tyler, Yo'Heinz 
WR Justin Hall
WR Jackson, Jayshon 
TE Koch, Dylan 
QB Plitt, Drew 
RB Jones, Will 
FB Rudy, Cody 
 
Akron Zips
WR Qualls Jr., George 
WR Mathison, Michael 
WR Mumpfield, Konata 
TE Brank, Tristian 
QB Nelson, Kato 
RB Hester, Blake 
 

Statistical Leaders

 
Ball State Cardinals
Passing: D. Plitt (1591)
Rushing: C. Steele (428)
Receiving: J. Hall (506)
Touchdowns: C. Steele (5)
 
Akron Zips
Passing: D. Irons Jr. (829)
Rushing: D. Irons Jr. (305)
Receiving: K. Mumpfield (495)
Touchdowns: K. Mumpfield (6)
 
Coaches:
Ball State Cardinals: Mike Neu (6th season)
Akron Zips: Tom Arth (3rd season)


Amedeus Mastrangelo

About the Author:

Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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