Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for Ball State vs. Buffalo

Can Ball State still make it to a bowl game, or does Buffalo have one more win to get there?

With a good 5-4 record, UB’s first season under head coach Pete Lembo has been great. They have wins over Toledo and Northern Illinois, as well as wins over a lot of weak teams.

There will be a sixth win, but the Bulls can get it now and still be in the running for the MAC title. EMU and Kent State are still to play.

Bowling Green and Ohio are up next for Ball State, which needs to win out to go to bowling, but it is playing well even though it has lost six games.

Vanderbilt was pushed, but Miami University beat them by six points. Central Michigan and Western Michigan beat them by three points each.

Ball State vs Buffalo: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
How to Watch: CBS Sports Network
Venue: UB Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Teams: Buffalo (5-4), Ball State (3-6)

Why Ball State Will Win

Once more, Ball State has been very, very close. It is true that good teams win close games, but the Cardinals could easily be 5-3 right now instead of 3-5.

They can control the clock and do not get hit with a lot of penalties, which are both important to solve a lot of different problems.

There is a big problem with Ball State’s pass defense: they can not slow down or stop anyone. This makes it hard for Buffalo to move the chains. But…

Why Buffalo Will Win

The Buffalo run defense has to hold up.

It hasn’t always been great, but for the most part it had problems with the run D away from Amherst.

The team allowed over 200 rushing yards four times and lost all four games – and it’s 5-0 when allowing fewer. Ball State has yet to come up with 200 yards, but all three of its wins came when getting to 170 yards.

All five of Buffalo’s wins came when the defense allowed fewer than 170 rushing yards.

No, the UB passing game isn’t goo, but it’s improving. All of a sudden, CJ Ogbonna is hitting deeper this and the offense is opening up a bit. The team is 5-1 when Ogbonna is connect on over six yards per attempt, and

Ball State vs Buffalo: Who Will Win?

In the second half, Ball State’s defense will not hold up, and the team’s passing attack is not able to hit any passes down the field either.

Buffalo had to have a really bad offensive day to lose at home, and Ball State does not have a strong enough offense to do that. UB will not change it over often enough to give the guests enough breaks eith