The Georgia Southern Eagles and Ball State Cardinals meet Saturday in week 4 college football action at Scheumann Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Georgia Southern Eagles Betting Preview
The Georgia Southern Eagles look for their first road win to improve to 3-1 on the year. Georgia Southern has lost 5 of its last 6 road games. Davis Brin is completing 72.6 percent of his passes for 945 yards, 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Derwin Burgess Jr. and Khaleb Hood have combined for 391 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Dalen Cobb has 10 receptions. The Georgia Southern Eagles ground game is averaging 130 yards per contest, and Jalen White leads the way with 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Georgia Southern is allowing 23.3 points and 380 yards per game. Marques Watson-Trent leads the Georgia Southern Eagles with 26 tackles, Isaac Walker has 1 sack and TJ Smith has 1 interception.
Georgia Southern Eagles Team Facts
- Georgia Southern has won each of its last nine September games as a favorite.
- Georgia Southern has covered the spread in each of its last four September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Five of Georgia Southern’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
The Ball State Cardinals look for another home win to get back to a .500 record. Ball State has won 4 of its last 6 home games. Kadin Semonza is completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 357 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Tanner Koziol and Ty Robinson have combined for 261 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Qian Magwood has 12 receptions. The Ball State Cardinals ground game is averaging 145.7 yards per contest, and Marquez Cooper leads the way with 218 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Ball State is allowing 32 points and 334.7 yards per game. Keionte Newson leads the Ball State Cardinals with 15 tackles, Sidney Houston Jr. has 2 sacks and Tyler Potts has 2 interceptions.
Ball State Cardinals Team Facts
- Ball State has lost each of its last 16 September games as an underdog.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight September games as an underdog.
- Ball State has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
- Ball State has won the first quarter in 13 of its last 17 games against non-conference opponents at Scheumann Stadium.
- Six of Ball State’s last seven games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ball State was one of only six FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
- Ball State was one of only eight FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading after Q3 last season.
- Georgia Southern ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage last season (.615).
- Georgia Southern ranked 14th among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (17.8).
Randy’s Pick
The Ball State Cardinals haven’t had the easiest schedule with games against Kentucky and Georgia, but neither side of the ball has held up through 3 games and the offense is 116th in total offense and 108th in scoring offense. The Georgia Southern Eagles have been questionable defensively at times, but that shouldn’t be a concern here. Georgia Southern is the more talented team and has the offense to give Ball State issues if it can stop turning the ball over. I’ll lay the touchdown with the Eagles.