Ball State vs San Jose State 12/31/20 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Thursday December 31st, the Ball State Cardinals play the No. 22 ranked San Jose State Spartans in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Ball State finished its regular season 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals defeated Buffalo 38-28 to win the MAC Championship. In the victory over Buffalo, Ball State gained 439 yards of total offense while allowing 499 yards of offense but forced the Bulls into two turnovers.

Drew Pitt has passed for 1,937 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, while being sacked 24 times. The leading rusher for Ball State is Caleb Huntley with 437 yards and six touchdowns, while the leading receiver is Justin Hall with 665 yards and four touchdown receptions. On defense, linebacker Brandon Martin is the leader in tackles with 85 and linebacker Anthony Ekpe is the leader in quarterback sacks with 5.0.

San Jose State finished its regular season with a perfect 7-0 record and was 6-0 in Mountain West Conference. The Spartans defeated Boise State 34-20 to clinch the MWC title. San Jose State was led in the victory over Boise State by quarterback Nick Starkel who passed for 453 yards and three touchdowns. The Spartans defense held Boise State to just 224 yards of total offense. 

Nick Starkel has passed for 1,906 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions and has been sacked five times. The leading rusher for the Spartans is Tyler Nevens with 478 yards and five touchdowns, while the leading receiver is Bailey Gaither with 725 yards and four touchdown receptions. On defense, linebacker Kyle Harmon is the leading tackler with 71 and defensive lineman Cade Hall is the leader in quarterback sacks with 10.0.