Ball State Cardinals (3-3) vs UCONN Huskies (3-4)
Game Info: Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 2:00 pm (Scheumann Stadium)
Betting Odds: Ball State Cardinals -9.5 -- Over/Under: 47 Click Here for the Latest Odds
UConn will travel to Muncie to face Ball State from Scheumann Stadium om ESPN3. Ball State met UConn during their first three years as a program, and they lead the all-time series 3-0.
UConn is 3-4 after a win over FIU in Week 6. UConn impressively pulled off the wire-to-wire win in Miami, picking up their second FBS win since 2019. Connecticut is averaging points per game, while passing for 99.4 yards per game (285th) and rushing for 185.9 ypg (66th). The UConn defense gives up 29.7 points per game.
Zion Turner is one of the few true freshmen in the nation starting at quarterback, so there’s been a lot of reserved play calling. It’s been a nice two weeks for Turner after leading UConn to their first pair of FBS wins in three seasons, but that run may be coming to an end in Muncie this weekend. Turner has thrown for 661 yards with five touchdowns to three interceptions and 100 rushing yards through seven starts. The Huskies have leaned on the ground game heavily this season. Sophomore back Devontae Houston has taken over the lead role, and he’s rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games. Houston has 350 yards rushing, while Victor Rosa has added 197 yards and scored twice in the win over FIU. Ironically, Zion Turner’s favorite target is Aaron Turner, and he leads the team with 23 catches for 219 receiving yards.
Ball State is 3-3 after defeating Western Michiagn in Week 6. A strong defensive effort and a fourth-quarter field goal would give the Cardinals their second MAC win of the season. Ball State is averaging 25.8 points per game, while passing for 276.7 yards per game (49th) and rushing for 138.7 ypg (163rd). The Cardinal defense gives up 30.7 points per game.
John Paddock has found some momentum over the past four weeks, The junior quarterback tossed for a career-high 403 yards in win over NIU, and he’ll look to air it out this week after a season-low 27 pass attempts versus Central Michigan. Paddock has thrown for 1,660 passing yards with 12 touchdowns to six interceptions through six starts. Carson Steele has handled all of the backfield work and produced with it. The sophomore back has surpassed the 115-yard mark four times this season, and in one of the two games he didn’t, he scored three touchdowns against NIU. He’s been a true difference maker for this team, and he’s among MAC leaders with 625 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Jayshon Jackson leads a good group of pass catchers. The senior wideout caught ten passes in back-to-back games against Georgia Southern and Northern Illinois, and he leads the Cardinals in receptions (42) and receiving yards (496). Fifth-year receiver Yo’Heinz Tyler surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for his career last week, and he’s second on the team with 36 catches for 344 yards. 6’7 tight end Tanner Koziol leads the team with five touchdown catches.
UConn is 5-2 against the spread this season, with a 3-1 record on the road. Ball State is 3-3 ATS this season, with a 2-1 record at home. The Cardinals are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. Ball State is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. INDEP.
The University of Connecticut deserved these two weeks. After falling out of the AAC, and flailing as an Independent, it’s nice to see something go nice for the towns of Hartford and Storrs, This isn’t Florida International or Fresno State without their starting quarterback, this will be a hungry Ball State offense who will be fresh after a light weekend last Saturday. Ball State has come through with back-to-back underdog victories, and they should go 3/3 with a win and cover this weekend.