Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls Matchup

Check out our free Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls pick and preview for this CFB week 12 game in Buffalo. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 12 CFB matchup.

Buffalo Bulls is the favorite in this matchup, with the point spread at -4.5. The game is set to kick off at 7:00 ET on Tuesday, November 12th, at UB Stadium in Buffalo. The over/under line is 53.5 points. You can catch the action on CBSS as the Bulls look to add to their 5-4 record for the season. Ball State comes in with a 3-6 record.

Cardinals vs. Bulls Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: Ball State Cardinals at Buffalo Bulls
Where: Buffalo at UB Stadium
Date: Tuesday, November 12th
Betting Odds BUF -4.5, BALLST +158 | BUF -192 O/U 53.5

Cardinals Preview:

Ball State enters Week 12 against Buffalo with a 3-6 record, ranked 124th in our CFB power rankings. Their chances of becoming bowl-eligible stand at just 1.3%. On the road, they are 1-4, while their home record is 1-2 this season.

The Cardinals have gone 5-3 against the spread, despite an average scoring margin of -14.2 points per game. They are 3-0 ATS at home and have covered as underdogs in five of seven games.

Their over/under record is 6-1-1, with an average total of 63.6 points per game. This week’s line is 53.5, just below their season average line of 53.9 points.

Cardinals Offense Breakdown

Ball State’s offense ranks 99th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 12. They are 67th in scoring, averaging 24.7 points per game. Quarterback Kadin Semonza has thrown for 2,029 yards, completing 65.8% of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His passer rating is 89.

Ball State is 30th in passing attempts per game and 24th in completions, averaging 229.4 passing yards per game. They convert 40.8% of their third downs. Leading rusher Braedon Sloan has 517 yards, averaging 4 yards per carry, and has scored four touchdowns.

Cardinals Team Defense

Ball State's defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 38.9 points per game. In their recent matchup against Miami (OH), they gave up 27 points, including 219 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, although they did force an interception. On the ground, they held Miami to 117 rushing yards.

Opponents have averaged 172.3 rushing yards per game against Ball State, while quarterbacks have posted a 113.3 passer rating, completing 64.1% of their throws. Ball State ranks 167th nationally in passing yards allowed, giving up 291.9 yards per game through the air.

Bulls Preview:

The Cardinals have gone 5-3 against the spread, despite an average scoring margin of -14.2 points per game. They are 3-0 ATS at home and have covered as underdogs in five of seven games.

Their over/under record is 6-1-1, with an average total of 63.6 points per game. This week’s line is 53.5, just below their season average line of 53.9 points.

Bulls Offense Breakdown

Buffalo’s offense has struggled this season, ranking 114th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 12. They are 69th in points per game, averaging 24.2, and their third-down conversion rate is just 30.6%, placing them 119th nationally. Their passing game has been particularly weak, averaging 174.2 yards per game, and they are 96th in passer rating.

C.J. Ogbonna leads the team with 1,527 passing yards and has 10 touchdowns with two interceptions. His passer rating is 87, and he has completed 56.5% of his passes. On the ground, Buffalo ranks 39th in rushing attempts, averaging 155.6 yards per game. Al-Jay Henderson has rushed for 562 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and has scored four touchdowns.

Bulls Team Defense

Buffalo's defense has struggled this season, allowing 29 points per game, including 30 points in their recent win over Akron. They gave up 452 total yards, with 378 yards coming through the air, though they did limit Akron to just 74 rushing yards.

Opponents have averaged 154.3 rushing yards per game against Buffalo, while quarterbacks have posted a 92.4 passer rating, averaging 255.4 passing yards per game. Buffalo’s defense has faced the 103rd most pass attempts in the country this season.

Cardinals vs Bulls Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past ten road matchups, Ball State has an ATS record of 4-5-1 while averaging 17 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
Across the Buffalo Bulls last five home games, the team averaged 16 points per game while allowing 36. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 2-3 straight-up.
Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Ball State has an ATS mark of 3-0 while going 1-2 straight up.
The Buffalo Bulls have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.