Ball State vs Vanderbilt Prediction College Football Picks 10/19/24

The Ball State Cardinals and the Vanderbilt Commodores meet in week 8 college football action from FirstBank Stadium on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Ball State vs. Vanderbilt prediction.

Ball State Recap

The Ball State Cardinals come into this one looking to build on a 37-35 win over Kent State last time out. After this game, Ball State will return to conference play for a home date with Northern Illinois.

Cardinals Looking To Spring The Upset

Kadin Semonza has thrown for 1,348 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on 66.7% passing while Braedon Sloan has a team-high 423 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Tanner Koziol has a team-high 46 receptions for 434 yards and 3 touchdowns while Cam Pickett and the aforementioned Sloan each have 200+ receiving yards and another two Cardinals have 150+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Keionte Newson has a team-high 31 total tackles including 21 solo tackles. Brandon Berger also has a team-high 4 sacks while Ball State’s defense as a whole has combined for 14 sacks and 2 interceptions.

Why the Ball State Cardinals will win

• Ball State has won four of its last five October games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Vanderbilt has lost 10 of its last 12 games in October.
• Ball State has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.

Vanderbilt Recap

The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this one looking to build on another outright upset after taking down Kentucky last time out. After this game, Vanderbilt welcomes Texas to town for a headliner matchup.

Commodores Looking To Keep Momentum Going

Diego Pavia has thrown for 1,116 yards, 10 touchdowns, and an interception on 69.1% passing while also rushing for a team-high 388 yards and 2 TDs. Sedrick Alexander has 339 rushing yards with 5 touchdowns while AJ Newberry has 144 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Eli Stowers has a team-high 25 grabs for 333 yards while Quincy Skinner Jr. and Junior Sherrill each have 100+ receiving yards as well. On defense, Bryan Longwell has a team-high 41 total tackles while Vanderbilt’s defense as a whole has combined for 12 sacks and 5 interceptions.

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Ball State has lost each of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.
• The favorite has won each of Ball State’s last eight games.
• Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.
• The home team has covered the spread in seven of Ball State’s last eight games.

Ball State vs. Vanderbilt Prediction

I’m going to take a stab at Ball State and the points here. It’s just a horrendous sandwich spot for Vandy, who even with the new look Commodores and the swagger that Diego Pavia has brought to this program, I have a hard time laying points with in general, especially as a big favorite. Add in the look-ahead with Texas on deck, and it’s really hard for me to get on Vandy here. Give me the Cardinals and the points.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Ball State +25