Ball State Cardinals (2-4) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (4-2)
October 19, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Vanderbilt Commodores -26; Over/Under: 58.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Vanderbilt vs Ball State Prediction for this College Football Week 8 game on Saturday, October 19th, at First Bank Stadium. Let’s take a look at a Vanderbilt Commodores and Ball State Cardinals pick.
Vanderbilt Looks for Real
Vanderbilt comes into this game with a 4-2 record overall, and they are coming off another victory in the last game. Two games ago against Alabama, Vanderbilt was able to secure the 40-35 victory and in the last game against Kentucky they secured the 20-13 victory. Diego Pavia didn’t have the best game, but he still did enough to get the job done. He completed 15 of his 18 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Vanderbilt’s offense is averaging 34.7 points on the season, while its defense is giving up 23.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 28th in college football, while the defense is ranked 66th in the league.
Why Vanderbilt Will Beat Ball State
- The home team has won seven of Vanderbilt’s last eight games.
- Ball State has lost 10 of its last 12 road games.
- Vanderbilt has covered the spread in six of its last seven games.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
- Ball State has lost the first half in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
Ball State Coming off a Win
Ball State has only two wins on the season but one of those did come in the last game. Ball State faced of against the Kent State Golden Flashes, and they were able to secure the 37-35 victory. Kadin Semonza completed 21 of his 35 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. Braedon Sloan had quite the game on the ground, rushing 22 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
Ball State on the season is averaging 27 points while their defense is giving up 46 points per game. The offense is ranked 80th, while the defense is ranked 133rd. Ball State needs to find a way to slow down Pavia here.
Vanderbilt vs Ball State Prediction
I have a little bit of a concern about a letdown spot for Vanderbilt, but I don’t think Pavia is going to allow them to be letdown here. Vanderbilt, on the season, is averaging 34.7 points per game, and they are going to go well over that number here. Ball State’s offense is going to struggle to get to seven points, and this game is going to be the difference here. Back Vanderbilt against the spread.
