Don’t fret if it’s Christmas Day and you’re watching Ball State vs. Georgia State. Trust me, that’s OK. After all, it’s Drew Plitt and the Cardinals taking on Darren Grainger and the Panthers. It’s MACtion vs. Fun Belt. C’mon, it’s the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. Here’s the latest prediction, odds, and a pick for a Camellia Bowl that should give college football viewers plenty of pleasure and make it a truly great holiday season.
Ball State vs. Georgia State betting odds and trends
- Opening Line: Georgia State -3 (Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Current Line: Georgia State -5.5
- Over/Under: 51
- Moneyline: Georgia State -225, Ball State +185
The Panthers enter this game riding a three-game winning streak. In fact, they’ve won six of their last seven games to close the year. Impressively enough, their only losses came at the hands of Power Five schools North Carolina and Auburn, triple-option running Army, and the top two Sun Belt squads in Louisiana and Appalachian State.
Georgia State was in nearly every game this season as well, almost upsetting Auburn in Week 4 and falling just short to Louisiana. Grainger gives them a chance to win every time he takes the field. In 11 games, he’s thrown 16 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions after replacing Cornelious Brown IV, who threw 4 interceptions in just four games. Behind Grainger is the dual-headed rushing attack of Jamyest Williams and Tucker Gregg, who have combined for 18 touchdowns on the ground this season.
It’s a favorable matchup for Georgia State. The spread opened as such and has since moved even more in their favor.
Ball State vs. Georgia State prediction
As impressive as Georgia State’s season résumé is hailing from the Sun Belt, Ball State’s season is nearly as narrow. With one-possession losses to Northern Illinois and Miami (OH), this could very easily be an 8-4 team with a much different bowl game. They’re an extremely experienced group led by their quarterback in Plitt.
While the line certainly favors Georgia State, there is reason to believe Ball State could pull this off. They’ve held ball carriers to just over 4.0 yards per carry this year while allowing only 14 passing TDs. Making matters even more difficult for Georgia State is the fact that Ball State has also recorded 15 interceptions.
Linebackers Jaylin Thomas and Clayton Coll form an incredibly talented duo. They’ll be integral to the Cardinals’ success. If Thomas and Coll are on their games, Ball State can pull off the upset. Watch for them to patrol over the middle of the field in both coverage and against the run.
Thomas and Coll offer Georgia State a lump of coal on Christmas Day, and the Cardinals emerge victoriously.
Ball State vs. Georgia State Prediction: Ball State 30, Georgia State 28