This is an 8* ROUT on Ball State.

To say this is a big game for each team would be an understatement. Each team comes in at 5-6. Ball State is 2-3 on the road, while Miami Ohio is 2-2 at home.

The Cardinals though are 3-2 ATS away from friendly confines, while Miami Ohio is just 1-3 ATS in front of the home town crowd.

The winner becomes bowl eligible, but with a spread like this, clearly the oddsmakers believe these teams are evenly matched.

And they are, Ball State averages 23.8 PPG, while Miami Ohio averages 20.5. The Redhawks managed a 29-23 at NIU last week, while Ball State fell 32-18 at home to MAC leader Ohio as a 3.5-point underdog.

The Cards are led by John Paddock, who has 2,606 passing yards, 18 TD's and 12 INT's. Carson Steele is a force to be reckoned with on the ground, as he enters with 1,376 rushing yards and 12 TD's.

The Redhawks are led by Aveon Smith, who has 920 passing yards, eight TD's and four INT's. Receiver Mac Hippenhammer has 46 catches for 656 yards and eight TD's.

I think the Cards one-two punch on offense will be too much for Miami Ohio to handle.

Grab the points though, the play is BALL STATE.

Good luck, NP