Ball State Cardinals (1-0) vs. Miami-FL Hurricanes (2-0)
September 14, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: Miami-FL Hurricanes -36.5 / Ball State Cardinals -36.5; Over/Under: +55
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ball State Cardinals and the Miami Hurricanes will meet Saturday in college football action from Hard Rock Stadium. Here’s a Miami-FL vs Ball State Prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best Miami vs Ball State pick.
Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
The Cardinals managed a pretty tepid 4-8 overall record last year, going 3-5 in Mid-American Conference games. Ball State finished just one spot out of last place in the West Division with that effort, ahead of only Western Michigan (also at 3-5).
In their first matchup of the 2024 season against Missouri State, the Cardinals started out with a win. Ball State scored 28 points (and gave up 20) in the final quarter for a 42-34 result. Kadin Semonza threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while Braedon Sloan had 103 rush yards and a TD. Ball State will face Central Michigan following this game.
Miami Hurricanes Betting Preview
Over on the Hurricanes’ side, they took on Florida in their 2024 opener. Miami was up 24-10 by halftime and ultimately powered out the win 41-17. QB Cameron Ward logged 385 yards with three scores and a pick. Xavier Restrepo led the receivers on 112 yards and a TD.
In game two versus Florida A&M, the Hurricanes scored double-digit points in every quarter during a 56-9 blowout win. Ward threw for 304 yards and three scores. Damien Martinez led the rush with 11 carries for 91 yards and a TD of his own.
Why the Miami Hurricanes will win
- Ball State has lost each of its last 13 road games in September.
- Miami (FL) has won 29 of its last 32 games against non-conference opponents at Hard Rock Stadium.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven road games in September.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Ball State’s last three games.
- Ball State has lost the first half in each of its last six road games against non-conference opponents.
- Miami (FL) has won the first quarter in 24 of its last 30 games against non-conference opponents at Hard Rock Stadium.
Why the Ball State Cardinals will win
- The team ranked 10th in the AP Poll has lost seven of its last eight games.
- Ball State has won three of its last four games.
- Ball State has covered the spread in each of its last seven games.
- The team ranked 10th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in 12 of its last 13 games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ball State’s last five games against AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Miami (FL)’s last five games has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Miami (FL) ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage this season (1.000).
- Miami (FL) ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage this season (1.000).
- Ball State ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (28.0).
- Ball State ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
Miami-FL vs Ball State Prediction
I’ll go with Miami. The line’s probably a bit too thick to mess with, though. The Hurricanes have a couple of dominant wins under their belt so far and should get another one here if they keep playing well. Miami bagged 549 total yards (324 passing), 31 first downs and a nice 8-of-12 rate on third-down tries against an overwhelmed Florida A&M team in their last game. The defense was great as well: 190 yards (138 passing) allowed, 13 first downs, and 3-of-13 on thirds.
As for Ball State, they started out well and put up a pretty nice offensive outing overall (435 total yards) against Missouri State. This weekend will mark a significant uptick in opposing talent though, and I don’t think the Cardinals will keep up for long.
