Two of the Mid-American Conference’s top passing offenses are set to square off at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, as the Ball State University Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 MAC) travel to take on the Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-4, 0-1 MAC). The Chippewas are 7.5-point favorites, and the total is 64. Ball State is coming off a 44-38 win over Northern Illinois at Scheumann Stadium last Saturday. John Paddock threw for 403 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Carson Steele ran 24 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns. Jayshon Jackson caught 10 passes for 116 yards. Central Michigan lost 38-17 to Toledo at Glass Bowl last Saturday. Daniel Richardson was 25 of 46 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Lew Nichols III carried 18 times for 32 yards. Noah Koenigsknecht scored once. He caught three receptions for 71 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Chippewas won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 37-17 victory in November. Daniel Richardson threw two touchdowns for Central Michigan, as Lew Nichols III added three TDs.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Cardinals are averaging 27.6 points per game for the season, 84th in FBS, and they are facing a Chippewas defense that has surrendered 33.4 PPG (109th). Meanwhile, Central Michigan has scored 28.0 points a game this season, 82nd in the nation, and Ball State is allowing 33.6 PPG (112th). The Cardinals rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (307.6, 17th), while they are 85th in rushing yards (140.8). The Chippewas are 108th in passing yards allowed per game (264.2) and 72nd against the run (144.2).Central Michigan is 26th in the nation in passing yards per game (292.0) and 105th in rushing (122.2). Ball State’s defense has been most vulnerable on the ground, as the Cardinals are 121st in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (201.6). Against the pass, the Cardinals are 72nd (230.6).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, John Paddock has thrown for 11 touchdowns (6 INT) and 307.6 yards per game to lead Ball State in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (3 INT) and an average of 303.5 yards passing. Carson Steele leads the team in rushing with an average of 100.2 yards a game over five games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Jayshon Jackson is the Cardinals’ leading receiver with 89.4 yards a game and two TDs. Daniel Richardson has 11 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 275.2 yards per game through five games to lead Central Michigan. In two home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 232.5 yards. Lew Nichols III has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 71.4 yards a game through five games. He has five touchdowns. Carlos Carriere has been the primary target in the Chippewas’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 77.2 yard per game average through four appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
CMU (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
