The first of two games on Tuesday night, our Ball State vs. Kent State prediction headlines the first of the midweek MACtion games this season. It also continues the trend of 27 straight days of football, as the MAC takes center stage this week.
Ball State vs. Kent State Betting Preview
- Spread
Kent State (-6.5) - Moneyline
Kent State (-245); Ball State (+205) - Over/Under
62 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
Dix Stadium, Kent, OH - Predicted weather at kickoff
54 degrees, partly cloudy, 4-6 mph winds - How to watch
fuboTV, ESPNU
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Reminder: FanDuel offers $60,000 for you to construct your best lineup. With a two-game MAC slate, it’s imperative to take advantage of every opportunity, both in the game and outside of the game. Especially out of the game, where FanDuel offers a $10 bonus with a $1 entry.
- QB Collin Schlee, Kent State ($11,000)
- QB Devin Kargman, Kent State ($10,000)
- QB John Paddock, Ball State ($7,500)
- RB Carson Steele, Ball State ($10,000)
- RB Marquez Cooper, Kent State ($9,500)
- RB Bryan Bradford, Kent State ($5,400)
- RB Vaughn Pemberton, Ball State ($5,000)
- RB Gavin Garcia, Kent State ($4,900)
- WR Devontez Walker, Kent State ($9,400)
- WR Dante Cephas, Kent State ($8,700)
- WR Jayshon Jackson, Ball State ($7,500)
- WR Yo’Heinz Tyler, Ball State ($6,500)
- WR Amir Abdur-Rahman, Ball State ($5,700)
- WR Ja’Shaun Poke, Kent State ($5,600)
- WR Raymond James, Kent State ($4,900)
- TE Brady Hunt, Ball State ($6,800)
- TE Tanner Koziol, Ball State ($5,500)
- TE Kris Leach, Kent State ($4,600)
Obviously, this one comes down to whether or not you grab Collin Schlee. Set your lineups as late as you can, doing your best to find out if he’s going to play or not. Even still, we’ve seen coaches send their quarterbacks out to warm up in full pads despite having no intention of playing them all over college football this season, so it may be best to stick your QB dollars elsewhere.
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Dante Cephas is the main target in the Kent State offense, but Devontez Walker has more than doubled his number of touchdowns this year. Walker was clearly Devin Kargman’s favorite target in the red zone, making your DFS selections even murkier. If Kargman goes, play him and Walker.
If it’s Schlee in, plan such that you can afford both Schlee and Cephas.
On the ground, you’ve got plenty of options from both squads. Marquez Cooper is the obvious start but brings with him a high price tag. Carson Steele is in the same situation but lacks someone vulturing his goal-line touches. Secure Steele because of his ceiling in the receiving game.
Tight end Brady Hunt has been remarkably consistent this season for Ball State. He’s made multiple catches in all but one game and has secured 20 over his past five outings. Hunt has caught four touchdowns and is the big-play target in the red zone and short areas of the field.
Ball State vs. Kent State Prediction
This game will certainly go as the quarterback play dictates. With quarterback being the most important position in team sports, the MAC is indicative of the strength of a passer playing a large part in recent success in the league.
As Collin Schlee is questionable entering this contest for Kent State, the advantage might seem to side with the Cardinals, right? As Lee Corso would say, not so fast, my friend.
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In place of Schlee, Devin Kargman found a nice rhythm and played himself into a groove against Akron back in Week 8. He completed 14 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, getting Kent State back in the win column. Kargman commanded the offense well and allowed the offensive line to dictate the pace for a running game that averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
That kind of balance with Kargman at the helm gives hope for the Golden Flashes, who are already a top-ranked unit in the MAC. Despite not having a top-ranked defensive side of the ball, their defense clamped down against Akron and has had spurts of sound action this season.
After allowing 33 or more points to their gauntlet of an out-of-conference schedule (at Washington, at Oklahoma, and at Georgia), they’ve allowed more than 27 just once in every other game.
Kent State can rely on their defensive penetration and pressure-getters to get home early and often, keeping Ball State off balance just enough. It’ll be close, and you can grab the under to hedge your bets.
Prediction: Kent State 34, Ball State 27