The Ball State Cardinals and the Western Michigan Broncos meet Saturday in college football action from Waldo Stadium. Ball State comes into this one after a matchup versus Georgia Southern last weekend. In that one the Cardinals fell in blowout fashion. As for Western Michigan, they played Toledo in their last game. The Broncos went on to lose that one by 18 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Ball State Cardinals 

The Cardinals had some tough opponents front-loaded in their 2023 schedule and took consecutive blowout losses to start out the season. First was a 44-14 affair versus Kentucky, then a 45-3 loss to a stellar Georgia team. Game three was much better, however: Ball State easily handled Indiana State in a 45-7 victory. 

Back on Saturday versus Georgia Southern, the Cardinals gave up points in every quarter and couldn’t score until the fourth in a rough 40-3 blowout loss. QB Kadin Semonza finished with 123 yards and two interceptions. Marquez Cooper led an anemic rush with 16 yards, and Rico Barfield had two catches for 50 yards. 

Ball State Cardinals Team Facts

Ball State has lost each of its last 12 road games in September.
Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last nine September games as an underdog.
Ball State has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents at Waldo Stadium.
Each of Ball State’s last six games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Western Michigan Broncos 

Over on the Broncos’ side, they were able to beat St. Francis PA in their opener, taking it 35-17. The next two games were losses however, starting with a 48-7 blowout at the hands of Syracuse. Western Michigan didn’t fare much better versus Iowa in a 41-10 loss. Broncos quarterback Treyson Bourguet completed just five passes for 124 yards and a score in that one. 

In game four versus Toledo, Western Michigan was up 24-14 going into the third quarter. The Broncos were outscored 35-7 from there however and lost 49-31. Bourguet had 160 yards and a pick, and Anthony Sambucci had 55 receiving yards. Jalen Buckley had a nice game on the ground though, with 190 yards and two scores. 

Western Michigan Broncos Team Facts

Western Michigan has won each of its last 12 September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Western Michigan has covered the spread in five of its last six September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Western Michigan has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
Eight of Western Michigan’s last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Western Michigan was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.500) than home winning percentage (.333) last season (min. 8 games).
Western Michigan ranked T19th among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (3.8).
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.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Western Michigan here. There’s not a ton of intrigue involved in this matchup, though; neither team is playing all that well right now. Still, the Broncos did a few good things in the Toledo loss—at least in the first half. Western Michigan finished with 393 total yards (230 rushing) but also had four turnovers. Toledo had 497 yards themselves (269 rushing) but also had four turnovers and 11 penalties. The Broncos need a much better performance on both sides, and I think they’ll get it here against an uneven Ball State squad.