In this article, we will formulate a Ball State vs Purdue Prediction for this College Football Week 1 game on Saturday, August 30th at the Ross-Ade Stadium. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Purdue Preview
Purdue finished last season with a 1-11 overall record and had a 0-9 conference record in the Big Ten. Offensively last season, the Boilermakers scored 15.8 points per game, while allowing 39.9 points per game defensively. Purdue averaged 115.3 rushing yards and 183.9 passing yards per game. They allowed 200 rushing yards per game and 252.7 passing yards per game.
Hudson Card led the Boilermakers last season with 144/248 completed passes and 1,641 total passing yards. He also had 9 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Ryan Browne had 43/76 passes for 532 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, while Christian Gelov added 1/3 passes for 26 passing yards. Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the team in rushing yards, with 687 and 4 touchdowns, while Deion Burks had a team-high 51 caught passes for 685 receiving yards, and had 4 touchdowns. Garrett Miller caught 25 passes for 305 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively, Dillon Thieneman had a team-high 104 total tackles, 70 of them solo, while Kydran Jenkins had a team-high 7 total sacks, and Kyndrich Breedlove had a team-high 3 interceptions.
Ball State Preview
Ball State finished last season with a 3-9 overall record and had a 2-6 conference record in the MAC. Offensively last season, the Cardinals scored 25.3 points per game, while allowing 40.1 points per game defensively. Ball State averaged 102.8 rushing yards and 245.0 passing yards per game. They allowed 175.3 rushing yards per game and 279.6 passing yards per game.
Kadin Semonza led the Cardinals last season with 275/427 completed passes and 2,904 total passing yards. He also had 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Braedon Sloan had 1/1 passes for 22 passing yards and 1 touchdown, while Kiael Kelly added 2/4 passes for 8 passing yards. Braedon Sloan led the team in rushing yards, with 597 and 4 touchdowns, while Tanner Koziol had a team-high 94 caught passes for 839 receiving yards, and had 8 touchdowns. Cam Pickett caught 49 passes for 528 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively, George Udo had a team-high 78 total tackles, 44 of them solo, while Riley Tolsma had a team-high 5.5 total sacks, and both Joey Stemler and DD Snyder II had a team-high 2 interceptions.
Why the Purdue Boilermakers will win
- Ball State has lost each of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
- The favorite has won 13 of Purdue’s last 14 games.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
- Purdue has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games as a favorite against teams from Indiana.
- Ball State has lost the first half in each of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
Why the Ball State Cardinals will win
- Purdue has lost each of its last 11 games.
- Purdue has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games in Indiana.
- Ball State has covered the spread in four of its last five games against teams from Indiana.
- Purdue has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ball State’s last seven games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of Purdue’s last eight home games against teams from Indiana have gone OVER the total points line.
Ball State vs Purdue Prediction
Purdue has won both meetings against Ball State, winning their most recent meeting back in 2010 by 24-13. Ball State managed to cover the spread in both meetings, and they were 1-1 in over/under.
In this Ball State vs Purdue Prediction, Purdue is coming in as -18.0-point home favorites, with the total set at 50.5. The Boilermakers are listed at -935 on the moneyline, while the Cardinals are at +575. Ball State struggled last season, finishing with only three wins while allowing over 40 points per game, and now they head on the road to face a Big Ten opponent. Purdue also had its share of issues last year but was far more competitive on both sides of the ball, and they enter this season opener with a clear advantage. Take the home team to control this matchup and cover the spread. Take Purdue by -17 points in this one.