PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Tuesday MAC TUSSLE >> 67% NCAAF Run (10-5 Last 15!)
(NCAAF) Eastern Michigan vs. Ball State,
11/08/2016 2:00 PM, Score: 48 - 41
Point Spread: 0.00 | -106.00 Eastern Michigan (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 0.00 | -106.00 Eastern Michigan (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: It's once again Tuesday and of course some MACtion headlines the college football card. However, tonight's Eastern Michigan (5-4 / 2-3 in the MAC West) at Ball State (4-5 / 1-4 in the MAC West) is hardly a marquee matchup. Then again, it should be mentioned that a win by Eastern Michigan would make the school bowl-eligible at 6-4 and with two home games remaining on its schedule, the Eagles could be heading to just the school's second-ever bowl game (EMU's only other appearance was a 30-27 win in the 1987 California Bowl over San Jose State).
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles own an excellent passing game which ranks 27th in the nation at 282.4 YPG. QB Brogan Roback has taken over for Porter (shoulder), who had just seven TDs and nine INTs and he's done great. He's averaged 312.3 YPG over EMU's last four games, topping 300 yards in each of his last three, while throwing six TDs and just two INTs (owns a 10-3 ratio on the season). Just why won't he have success against a Ball State pass defense allowing 295.9 YPG (120th)? However, EMU's rush defense allowed Miami-Ohio to run for 230 yards (5.3 YPC) in a 28-15 home loss last time out and in Ball State's James Gilbert, the Eagles will feature one of the nation's best under-the-radar RBs.
Ball State: The Cardinals are 1-4 in league play but at 4-5 overall, getting to six wins is still a possibility. However, Ball State will finish with road games at Toledo and Miami-Ohio, so getting to six wins is hardly a likely scenario. That means winning here is a must and if Ball State is to do that, Gilbert will have to lead the way. He's run for 1,142 yards on 5.4 YPC with 11 TDs. The sophomore RB has reached the 100-yard mark in each of the last five games, including 264 yards against Buffalo and 155 last week against Western Michigan.
The pick: Both teams badly need a win, as after opening 4-1, EMU has lost three of four, while Ball State has lost four of its last five, including last week's 52-20 loss at home against Western Michigan. I will note though, that Eastern Michigan was good enough to beat Wyoming 27-24 earlier this year (Cowboys are currently 7-2 and own a win over a ranked Boise State team) plus also won at Ohio U 27-20, as an eight-point dog (Bobcats are currently 7-3 and lead the MAC East at 5-1). History is on on Ball State's side in this one, as the Cardinals have won 10 of the last 11 meetings (including five in a row) but this year's Eastern Michigan team has a very realistic chance at the school's second-ever bowl berth and a win here will all but lock that up. EMU is a 10* play.
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles own an excellent passing game which ranks 27th in the nation at 282.4 YPG. QB Brogan Roback has taken over for Porter (shoulder), who had just seven TDs and nine INTs and he's done great. He's averaged 312.3 YPG over EMU's last four games, topping 300 yards in each of his last three, while throwing six TDs and just two INTs (owns a 10-3 ratio on the season). Just why won't he have success against a Ball State pass defense allowing 295.9 YPG (120th)? However, EMU's rush defense allowed Miami-Ohio to run for 230 yards (5.3 YPC) in a 28-15 home loss last time out and in Ball State's James Gilbert, the Eagles will feature one of the nation's best under-the-radar RBs.
Ball State: The Cardinals are 1-4 in league play but at 4-5 overall, getting to six wins is still a possibility. However, Ball State will finish with road games at Toledo and Miami-Ohio, so getting to six wins is hardly a likely scenario. That means winning here is a must and if Ball State is to do that, Gilbert will have to lead the way. He's run for 1,142 yards on 5.4 YPC with 11 TDs. The sophomore RB has reached the 100-yard mark in each of the last five games, including 264 yards against Buffalo and 155 last week against Western Michigan.
The pick: Both teams badly need a win, as after opening 4-1, EMU has lost three of four, while Ball State has lost four of its last five, including last week's 52-20 loss at home against Western Michigan. I will note though, that Eastern Michigan was good enough to beat Wyoming 27-24 earlier this year (Cowboys are currently 7-2 and own a win over a ranked Boise State team) plus also won at Ohio U 27-20, as an eight-point dog (Bobcats are currently 7-3 and lead the MAC East at 5-1). History is on on Ball State's side in this one, as the Cardinals have won 10 of the last 11 meetings (including five in a row) but this year's Eastern Michigan team has a very realistic chance at the school's second-ever bowl berth and a win here will all but lock that up. EMU is a 10* play.
