The Buffalo Bulls (6-3, 4-1 MAC) look to stay hot Wednesday night in a Mid-American Conference college football matchup against the Ball State Cardinals (3-6, 2-3 MAC) at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.
Check out our Buffalo vs. Ball State predictions, picks, and odds below as the Bulls look to stay in the MAC championship race in Week 11.
Buffalo vs. Ball State Odds
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Buffalo as the road favorite as the Bulls look to extend their winning streak to five games:
Buffalo vs. Ball State Predictions
There are several football betting markets available at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for Wednesday night’s game, including our Buffalo vs. Ball State prediction below:
Ball State vs. Buffalo Best Bet: Buffalo Moneyline (-125)
Buffalo may be on a four-game winning streak, but the Bulls have found themselves in several close games. Other than a 23-8 win over Toledo on Oct. 10 to start this streak, each of the Bulls’ last three wins has been by seven points or fewer, and two of them were overtime victories, including a three-point win over Miami (OH) last week.
It’s also worth noting Buffalo’s other two margins of victory this season. The Bulls beat UAlbany by four points in their season opener and then, after back-to-back losses, beat Robert Morris by three points on Sept. 26.
While the close games are notable, that doesn’t change the fact that Buffalo is set to play a Ball State team that, on paper, it should beat Wednesday night. Ball State started the year 1-5 with multiple blowout losses, and even though the Cardinals have won two of their last three games, those victories came against a now 3-7 Bowling Green team in overtime and a now 2-8 Sacramento State team.
- Ball State vs. Buffalo Moneyline Pick for Nov. 11: Buffalo Moneyline (-125)
Buffalo vs. Ball State Betting Splits
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Wednesday night’s MACtion:
- Buffalo is absorbing more of the moneyline support, with 57% of tickets and 59% of the money.
- Ball State, meanwhile, is garnering more support on the spread, with 52% of tickets and 60% of the money.
- The Over is attracting the majority of the action on the total, with 84% of tickets and 96% of the money.
Buffalo vs. Ball State Preview for Wednesday Night
Wednesday night’s game is a big one for Buffalo as it looks to keep pace with the top teams in the conference. Ohio and Western Michigan both sit atop the MAC with 7-3 overall records and 5-1 conference records, but three teams, including Buffalo, are right behind with four MAC wins each as they fight for a conference championship game appearance.
As mentioned above, the Bulls have been in some rather close games during their current winning streak, but it doesn’t matter how you win, just that you win. Buffalo will look to keep its momentum going following a 34-31 overtime victory against a solid Miami (OH) team last week as it tries to secure an all-important fifth conference win this season.
It wasn’t easy by any means last week, with Miami (OH) taking a 24-10 lead shortly after halftime following a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright then threw back-to-back interceptions on the Bulls’ next two possessions. However, the turnovers didn’t prove costly, and Wright delivered with two touchdown passes and a touchdown run on Buffalo’s next three offensive possessions to tie the game and ultimately send it to overtime.
The Bulls opened overtime with a successful 27-yard field goal by Oliver Hautanen and had some luck on their side when Miami (OH) missed a potential game-tying 45-yard field goal. Not only did Wright play well despite the interceptions, but Buffalo’s defense also recorded five sacks and limited Miami (OH)’s passing game. Bulls wide receiver Chance Morrow also exploded for 12 catches, 199 yards, and two touchdowns in the comeback win.
Ball State suffered a tough 31-30 overtime loss to UMass last week, and while still mathematically alive, the defeat all but crushed the Cardinals’ MAC Championship Game chances. Ball State must now win out and get a lot of help in the final weeks to finish in the top two in the conference.
The Cardinals protected the football last week but couldn’t get enough pressure on UMass quarterback Pop Watson, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for two scores. Ball State’s defense recorded just one sack in the game.
Keldric Luster and the Cardinals’ passing game must be more of a factor against Buffalo Wednesday night after no receiver had more than 49 yards last week against UMass. On the bright side, running back Jalen Bonds had a massive performance in the overtime loss with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Not to kick Ball State while it’s down, but the Cardinals scored a touchdown on the opening possession of overtime last week and missed the extra point. UMass then answered with a touchdown of its own to tie the game before converting the extra point for the walk-off win.
Buffalo vs. Ball State Game Info
- š Where: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
- š Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- ā° Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET
- šŗš» TV/Streaming: ESPN2
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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