Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Yager Stadium, Oxford, OH
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
FanDuel: Miami-OH -2.5
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
Ball State: 5-6 (3-4 MAC)
Miami-Ohio: 5-6 (3-4 MAC)
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Ball State - Miami-Ohio preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Ball State: lost 32-18 vs. Ohio
Miami-Ohio: won 29-23 at Northern Illinois
There is nothing better than a college football game in late November that could totally determine the landscape of who goes to a bowl game and who does not. And while I know some of you may not care for Mac football, allow me to tell you that this game featuring the Ball State Cardinals and the Miami red Hawks is going to be probably the greatest pre-Thanksgiving game you will ever see in your life because one team will be happy, and one team will go home crying for the remainder of the season.
Ball State has put themselves in a very interesting position having lost three of their last four and now sit at 5-6 going into the final game of the regular season. The Cardinals are coming off a 32-18 loss to the Ohio Bobcats last week in which Ohio went up 17-3 late in the second quarter and never looked back. Ball State quarterback John paddock threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, but as has been the case the entire second half of this season for Ball State, the offense did not get anything done.
Strike that thought. Ball State has been run all year by running back Carson Steele, but Steele was held to just 96 yards on only 14 carries because Ball State fell behind early and did not have a chance to come back to win this game. Once again, a team proved that if Ball State has to throw to stay in this game, they're likely going to lose.
And now Ball State season hangs in the balance with the need to go on the road to Miami OH and when a football game against the team that is playing a little bit better right now. Miami is coming off a 29-23 win at Northern Illinois after losing 37-21 to Ohio. Miami quarterback avion Smith struggled throwing the ball for only 185 yards in a touchdown but did run for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Other than that, Miami’s offense was pretty much non-existent but just enough to get the job done.
When you look at how the quarterback matchup between these two fairs, obviously you think that the advantage goes to the quarterback who throws the ball much better between the two. But looking at Ball State having a better running back than they do at quarterback, Miami is actually in a good position because its quarterback actually does both. And when you look at how games in this type of environment are one or loss usually it's because the quarterback makes the most plays, not the other way around.
Prediction
in a case like this with a bowl game on the line, you have to trust that the home crowd will be ready to go and will lead the home team to victory. The red Hawks are looking pretty good going into this game and I would hammer whichever way the Sprint leans in favor of Miami. Miami-Ohio by 14
Betting trends
Ball State is 12-9 ATS in conference games the last three years.
The under is 17-4 after Ball State plays a conference game the last three years; 6-0 this season.
Miami-Ohio is 2-8 ATS after an ATS win the last three years.
Statistical leaders
Ball State:
Passing: John Paddock -- 2,606 yards, 18 TD, 12 INT
Rushing: Carson Steele -- 1,376 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Jayshon Jackson -- 822 yards, 3 TD
Miami-Ohio:
Passing: Aveon Smith -- 920 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Keyon Mozee -- 455 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Mac Hippenhammer -- 656 yards, 4 TD
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