Ball State vs Central Michigan 11/17/21 College Football Picks and Predictions

The Ball State Cardinals and Central Michigan Chippewas square off Wednesday night in a week 12 MAC college football contest at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. The Central Michigan Chippewas look for a win after winning four of their last five games. The Ball State Cardinals look to get a game above a .500 record.

The Central Michigan Chippewas have lost three of their last five road games. Daniel Richardson is completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,011 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Kalil Pimpleton and Dallas Dixon have combined for 1,416 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while JaCorey Sullivan has 35 receptions. The Central Michigan Chippewas ground game is averaging 166.1 yards per contest, and Lew Nicholls III leads the way with 1,297 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Central Michigan is allowing 28.7 points and 417.8 yards per game. Gage Kreski leads the Central Michigan Chippewas with 74 tackles, Troy Hairston II has 5.5 sacks and Donte Kent has 1 interception.

The Ball State Cardinals have split their last four home games. Drew Plitt is completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,902 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Justin Hall and Jayshon Jackson have combined for 1,125 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Yo’Heinz Tyler has 35 receptions. The Ball State Cardinals ground game is averaging 141.7 yards per contest, and Carson Steele leads the way with 691 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Ball State is allowing 27.8 points and 408.9 yards per game. Bryce Cosby leads the Ball State Cardinals with 84 tackles, Tavion Woodard has 4.5 sacks and Jaylin Thomas has 2 interceptions.

The Chippewas are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog and 14-2-1 ATS in their last 17 Wednesday games. The Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 6-2 in Chippewas last 8 road games. The under is 10-3 in Cardinals last 13 games overall. The Chippewas are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Ball State and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 meetings.

While the separation a lot of times in the MAC isn’t all that great, there’s a strong argument to be made that Central Michigan is the better team here. The Central Michigan Chippewas are top-25 both in passing offense and total offense. The Ball State Cardinals are a below average team on both sides of the ball, and playing at home hasn’t helped them a ton this season. Central Michigan has scored 30 or more points in five of its last seven games. Give me the points with the Chips, a game they could win outright.