The Ball State Cardinals (3-8, 2-5 MAC) travel to Athens, Ohio, to take on the Ohio Bobcats (8-3, 6-1 MAC) in the regular-season finale for both teams. This game kicks off on Friday, Nov. 29th at 12 p.m. ET and can be seen live on CBS Sports Network.
The Bobs are looking to punch their ticket to Detroit and get back to the MAC Championship, a game they haven't won since 1967. Ball State, meanwhile, is in the midst of another tough season in which its head coach was let go.
Ohio is slated as a 16.5-point favorite in the contest with a total set at 53.
Let's dive into my Ball State vs. Ohio predictions and college football picks for Friday, Nov. 29.
Ball State vs Ohio Prediction
- Ball State vs Ohio Pick: Ball State Team Total Under 17.5
My Florida State-Georgia Tech bet is on the Cardinals to stay under their team total. Find the best line on our live NCAAF odds page.
Ball State vs Ohio Odds
| Ball State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | +600 |
| Ohio Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | -900 |
- Ball State vs Ohio Spread: Ball State +17.5 (-110) · Ohio -17.5 (-110)
- Ball State vs Ohio Over/Under: 52.5
- Ball State vs Ohio Moneyline: Ball State +600 · Ohio -900
Ball State vs Ohio Preview
Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview: Defensive Struggles
Ball State has struggled through another tough season in which the defense has not consistently gotten stops and the offense has been relied on to put up big numbers to keep the team in games.
The Cardinals have not gotten it done in MAC play this year and have shown significant struggles on defense all season. Ball State is allowing 525 yards per game on the road this season and 6.0 yards per carry on the ground.
Last week against Bowling Green, the Falcons completely controlled the second half and pulled away for a 25-point victory.
Ball State has thrown some punches offensively against the lower-rated defenses in the MAC this season, but the Cardinals have looked very average against teams not willing to participate in a MACtion track meet.
Last week against Bowling Green, the Falcons completely shut down the Ball State attack and limited it to just 254 yards and 15 first downs.
Ball State won't be able to run the ball effectively here after averaging just 109 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry for the season. Ball State ranks just 113th in Offensive Rushing Success Rate and 111th in Rush Explosiveness.
The Bobs' front seven is stout and is holding conference foes to just 2.9 yards per carry for the season. I expect the Ohio defensive line to take over here in early downs and force several unfavorable third-down situations for Ball State.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview: Domination Ahead?
Ohio has been playing exceptional football over the last four weeks and has outscored its opponents by an average of 37-8 over that stretch.
The defense has been locked in, allowing just 82 yards per game on the ground during that stretch with a 2.5 yards-per-carry average. The pass coverage unit has improved all season, and the defensive line is taking over games in the second half.
Last week, Ohio completely shut down the Toledo attack and gave up just 39 rushing yards and 212 total yards. Toledo racked up a grand total of nine first downs and scored seven points.
Offensively, Ohio is going to pound the rock and be methodical. Three of the last four games have seen 40-plus rushing attempts for Ohio, and the Bobs' offensive line is surging right now.
Running back Anthony Tyus is averaging five yards per carry on the season, and quarterback Parker Navarro is a serious running threat who will give Ball State fits.
I expect Ohio to dominate the time of possession and salt this game away in the second half.
Ball State vs Ohio Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Ball State and Ohio match up statistically:
Ball State Offense vs. Ohio Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 68 | 9 | |
| Line Yards | 78 | 24 | |
| Pass Success | 80 | 54 | |
| Havoc | 89 | 19 | |
| Finishing Drives | 48 | 94 | |
| Quality Drives | 76 | 18 | |
Ohio Offense vs. Ball State Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 59 | 102 | |
| Line Yards | 79 | 98 | |
| Pass Success | 61 | 130 | |
| Havoc | 70 | 92 | |
| Finishing Drives | 64 | 134 | |
| Quality Drives | 64 | 133 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 111 | 106 |
| PFF Coverage | 125 | 31 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 84 | 113 |
| Middle 8 | 131 | 22 |
| Seconds per Play | 27.8 (86) | 29.5 (117) |
| Rush Rate | 47% (118) | 62% (13) |
Ball State vs Ohio Pick & Prediction
I'm playing the Ball State team total under 17.5 in this contest.
Ball State struggles to protect the quarterback and has allowed 28 sacks and 68 tackles for loss on the season. The Cardinals rank 128th nationally in Havoc Allowed, which will be a major problem in this game. Ohio has registered 26 sacks and 73 TFLs on the year, and I expect it to be in the Ball State backfield often.
The pressure created will disrupt the timing for Ball State quarterback Kadin Semonza, and we should see plenty of throwaways or negative plays due to Ball State's inferior offensive line.
Ohio has a superior red-zone defense allowing touchdowns on just 15-of-28 red-zone possessions. Ball State has been mediocre in the red zone despite facing predominantly poor defenses.
Trust the Bobs' run game and stout defense in this one. Ball State will struggle to score here.
Pick: Ball State Team Total Under 17.5
Ball State vs Ohio Start Time, TV Channel, Location, How to Watch
| Location: | Peden Stadium, Athens, OH |
| Date: | Friday, Nov. 29 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS Sports Network |
Ball State vs Ohio Betting Trends
Ball State vs Ohio Weather
