Missouri State vs Ball State Picks and Prediction – 9/7/2024

The Missouri State Bears will be on the road this week again for their second game away from home in the 2024 season with a matchup against Ball State. Missouri State comes into week two winless on the year following a narrow 5 point road loss against Montana. Offensively Missouri State was fantastic pouring in 24 points on 356 total yards but turned the ball over once and converted less than half of their third downs resulting in the loss. Defensively the Bears struggled giving up 29 points including 17 in the second half on 347 total yards. For other college football action see our College Football Picks.

Jacob Clark led Missouri State in week 1 completing 23 passes for 256 yards in the game. Jacardia Wright was the top ball carrier for the roster with 76 yards and one score on 19 carries. Two other Missouri State players combined for 43 yards on 7 carries to go along with one score apiece. Hunter Wood led the team with 70 yards on 6 receptions.

The Ball State Cardinals open the 2024 season this week looking to improve off an abysmal year in 2023. The Cardinals finished 2023 four games below .500 after losing 2 of the last four overall. Kadin Semonza is the leading quarterback back from last year after compiling 480 yards and three scores on 50 completions. Vaugh Pemberton is the leading ball carrier back from last year from Ball State after compiling 139 yards and one score on 23 carries.

As a unit Ball State was mediocre last season averaging 18.25 points per game on nearly 400 total yards. The ground game was Ball State's best attribute in 2023 as they averaged just over 171 yards per outing. Defensively is where Ball State had their issues a year ago giving up more than 24 points on north of 300 total yards per game.

Despite no games played on the year Ball State is the better team in this game. Look for the Cardinals to do the work on both sides of the ball against mediocre Missouri State team. Take Ball State this week to do enough to start their year off right with a win and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Ball State Cardinals win and cover 31-13.