- The James Madison is a -21 point favorite vs. Ball State
- The Ball State vs. James Madison Total(Over/Under): 57.5 points
- TV Channel: ESPN+
The Ball State Cardinals (1-2) visit Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium to take on the James Madison Dukes (3-0) on Sep. 28 in Harrisonburg, VA. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30pm EDT.
James Madison is a betting favorite in Week 5, with the spread sitting at -21 (-105).
The Ball State vs. James Madison Over/Under is 57.5 total points.
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Ball State vs. James Madison Odds, Spread, Over/Under:
| Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline | |
| Ball State | +21 -115 | 57.5 -105 | +750 |
| James Madison | -21 -105 | 57.5 -115 | -1200 |
Ball State vs James Madison Prediction:
The winning team model predicts James Madison will win this game with 91.8% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.
This winning team prediction factors in up-to-date player injuries for both Ball State and James Madison, key player performances this season and recent team trends.
Ball State vs James Madison Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts James Madison will cover the spread with 53.9% confidence.
This prediction against the spread factors in ATS performances for both teams, opening and current betting lines plus public and sharp money already wagered on this matchup.
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Ball State Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- Ball State has hit the 1Q Game Total Under in their last 6 away games (+6.00 Units / 77% ROI)
- Ball State have covered the Spread in 8 of their last 11 games (+4.70 Units / 39% ROI)
- Ball State has hit the 1H Game Total Over in 4 of their last 6 away games (+2.80 Units / 41% ROI)
- Ball State has hit the Game Total Over in 4 of their last 6 away games (+1.80 Units / 27% ROI)
- Ball State has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 4 of their last 9 games (+1.25 Units / 12% ROI)
James Madison Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- James Madison has hit the 1H Game Total Under in 8 of their last 11 games (+4.60 Units / 36% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the 1H Moneyline in 8 of their last 10 games (+4.10 Units / 11% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 6 of their last 10 games (+3.80 Units / 16% ROI)
- James Madison has hit the Moneyline in 8 of their last 10 games (+3.10 Units / 5% ROI)
- James Madison have covered the Spread in 7 of their last 11 games (+2.60 Units / 21% ROI)
We’ve highlighted some favorite college football player prop bets for Ball State players, looking at profitable historical betting trends:
Best Ball State Player Prop Bets Today
- Qian Magwood has hit the Receiving Yards Under in his last 2 games (+2.00 Units / 82% ROI)
Ball State Against the Spread (ATS) Record
Ball State is 2-1 against the spread this college football season (+0.9 Units / 27.27% ROI).
James Madison Against the Spread (ATS) Record
James Madison is 1-1 against the spread this college football season (-0.1 Units / -3.03% ROI).
Ball State: Keys to the Game vs. James Madison
Ball State is 1-5 (.167) when throwing at least 1 interception since the 2023 season– T-12th-worst among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .336
Ball State is 2-7 (.222) when allowing 100 or more rushing yards since the 2023 season– T-25th-worst in FBS; Average: .427
Ball State is 1-8 (.111) when converting less than 50% of third down conversion opportunities since the 2023 season– 5th-worst in FBS; Average: .463
Ball State is 3-6 (.333) when having a turnover margin within one of the opposing team since the 2023 season– T-24th-worst in FBS; Average: .547
James Madison: Keys to the Game vs. Ball State
James Madison is 8-1 (.889) when the opposing team rushes more than 30 times since the 2023 season– 2nd-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .395
James Madison is undefeated (12-0) when allowing less than 3 sacks since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .572
James Madison is 11-1 (.917) when not losing a fumble since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .513
James Madison is 11-1 (.917) when committing less than 60 yards in penalties since the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .452
Matchup Notes for Ball State vs. James Madison
James Madison has gained 742 yards on 46 receptions (16.1 YPR) this season — T-6th-best among FBS skill players. Ball State’s defense has allowed 15.0 Yards Per Reception this season — 6th-worst among FBS defenses.
James Madison has 46 receptions in 3 games (just 15.3 per game) this season — T-31st-worst among FBS skill players. Ball State’s defense has allowed 21.3 receptions per game this season — T-21st-worst among FBS defenses.
James Madison’s RBs has rushed for 342 yards on 79 carries (just 4.3 YPC) this season — T-29th-worst among FBS RBs. Ball State’s defense have allowed 8.3 YPC to RBs this season — worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State’s TEs has 21 receptions in 3 games (7.0 per game) this season — T-3rd-best among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 7.3 receptions per game to TEs this season — worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State’s TEs has 21 receptions in 3 games (7.0 per game) this season — T-3rd-best among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 22.3 receptions per game this season — 16th-worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State’s TEs has averaged 9.3 targets per game this season — 3rd-highest among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 7.3 receptions per game to TEs this season — worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State Offensive Stats & Trends
Ball State’s TEs has 21 receptions in 3 games (7.0 per game) this season — T-3rd-best among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 7.3 receptions per game to TEs this season — worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State Skill Players have averaged just 9.2 yards per reception (2,280 yards/249 catches) since the 2023 season– worst among FBS Teams; Average: 12.1
Ball State’s TEs has 21 receptions in 3 games (7.0 per game) this season — T-3rd-best among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 22.3 receptions per game this season — 16th-worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State’s TEs has averaged 9.3 targets per game this season — 3rd-highest among FBS TEs. James Madison’s defense has allowed 7.3 receptions per game to TEs this season — worst among FBS defenses.
Ball State WRs averaged a touchdown every 33.0 receptions (99 Rec/3 TDs) in the 2023 season– 4th-worst Receptions Per TD among FBS Teams; Average: 10.9
James Madison Offensive Stats & Trends
James Madison WRs have averaged 23.3 yards per reception (466 yards/20 catches) on 3rd and long since the 2023 season– 2nd-best among FBS Teams; Average: 14.4
James Madison Skill Players caught 4 touchdown passes in the Red Zone last week– T-most among FBS Teams
James Madison has gained 742 yards on 46 receptions (16.1 YPR) this season — T-6th-best among FBS skill players. Ball State’s defense has allowed 15.0 Yards Per Reception this season — 6th-worst among FBS defenses.
James Madison Skill Players have averaged 18.2 yards per reception (563 yards/31 catches) on 3rd and long since the 2023 season– 3rd-best among FBS Teams; Average: 12.9
James Madison Skill Players have averaged 24.7 yards per reception (148 yards/6 catches) with 4-6 yards to go this season– 3rd-best among FBS Teams; Average: 11.2
Ball State Cardinals Defensive Stats & Trends
Ball State has allowed 10.6 yards from scrimmage per touch (1,597 yards / 151 touches) this season– worst among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 7.0
Ball State has allowed passes of 20+ yards on 20 of 93 attempts (21%) this season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 10%
Ball State has allowed passes of 20+ yards on 20 of 93 attempts (21%) this season– best in FBS; Average: 9%
Ball State has not recorded a sack (59 pass attempts) in the Red Zone since the 2023 season– T-worst among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 16.1
Ball State has allowed opponents to rush for 20+ yards on 10 of their 87 carries (12%) this season– worst in FBS; Average: 3%
James Madison Dukes Defensive Stats & Trends
James Madison allowed 10 receptions for 20+ yards last week– most among Non-Power Conference Teams
James Madison defense allowed 10 completions for 20 or more yards last week– most in FBS
James Madison’s opponents has attempted two-point conversions on 33% of PATs this season– highest among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 7%
James Madison has tackled opponents for a loss on 8 of 31 rushing attempts (26% TFL%) on 3rd and short since the 2023 season– T-best in FBS; Average: 11%.
James Madison defense allowed 10 completions for 20 or more yards last week– most among Non-Power Conference Teams
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