Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos Matchup

Check out our free Western Michigan Broncos vs Ball State Cardinals pick and preview for this CFB week 6 game in Muncie. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 6 CFB matchup.

ESPN+ will be covering the week six matchup between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Ball State Cardinals, set to kick off at 2:00 ET from Scheumann Stadium in Muncie. The Broncos are favored at -9.5 points, with the over/under line currently sitting at 56.5 points. Both teams are 1-3 on the season, and the money line odds are -343 for Western Michigan and +270 for Ball State.

Broncos vs. Cardinals Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: Western Michigan Broncos at Ball State Cardinals
Where: Muncie at Scheumann Stadium
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Betting Odds WMICH -9.5, WMICH -343 | BALLST +270 O/U 56.5

Broncos Preview:

Western Michigan heads into Week 6 against Ball State with a 1-3 record, ranked 111th in our power rankings. They have a 46.4% chance of becoming bowl-eligible this season. So far, they are 0-3 on the road.

The Broncos have been underdogs in all four games, with an average scoring margin of -12.2 points. Against the spread, they are 1-2 this season.

This week’s over/under line is 56.5 points. Western Michigan’s games have averaged 58.8 points, with their average over/under line set at 55 points.

Broncos Offense Breakdown

Western Michigan’s offense is averaging 23.2 points per game heading into week 6, placing them 71st in the nation. However, they are ranked 51st in our offensive power rankings. The Broncos’ strength lies in their running game, with 183 rushing yards per game on 36.5 attempts.

Jaden Nixon leads the rushing attack with 360 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry, and has scored three touchdowns. Quarterback Hayden Wolff has thrown for 643 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He has a passer rating of 92, and Western Michigan ranks 114th in passing yards per game.

Broncos Team Defense

Western Michigan's defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 35.5 points per game. In their recent matchup against Marshall, they gave up 27 points, including three passing touchdowns, while allowing 422 total yards. Marshall rushed for 245 yards, but Western Michigan managed to keep them out of the end zone on the ground.

Opponents have averaged 214 rushing yards per game against Western Michigan, ranking them 154th nationally. The defense has faced the 37th fewest passing attempts in the country, allowing 223.8 yards per game through the air, with quarterbacks completing 65.2% of their passes.

Cardinals Preview:

The Broncos have been underdogs in all four games, with an average scoring margin of -12.2 points. Against the spread, they are 1-2 this season.

This week’s over/under line is 56.5 points. Western Michigan’s games have averaged 58.8 points, with their average over/under line set at 55 points.

Cardinals Offense Breakdown

Ball State’s offense is averaging 20.8 points per game heading into week 6, placing them 99th in our offensive power rankings. They rank 36th in passing attempts, with 37.2 per game, and 27th in completions, averaging 24.8. However, they are 96th in passing yards, with 207.2 per game, and their passer rating is 84, ranking 90th. They convert 40.3% of their third downs.

Kadin Semonza leads the team with 826 passing yards and a 68.6% completion rate. He has thrown eight touchdowns and five interceptions, with a passer rating of 87. On the ground, Ball State averages 100.8 rushing yards per game. Braedon Sloan has 282 rushing yards this season. Cam Pickett leads the receivers with 158 yards on 22 catches.

Cardinals Team Defense

Ball State’s defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 49 points per game. In their recent matchup against James Madison, they gave up 63 points, including five passing touchdowns and 523 total yards.

Opponents have averaged 310.8 passing yards per game against Ball State, completing 69.6% of their throws. On the ground, Ball State has allowed 219.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 157th nationally.

Broncos vs Cardinals Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Western Michigan Broncos last five road games, the team averaged 15 points per game while allowing 31. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 1-4 straight-up.
In their last five home games, Ball State has averaged 16 points per game while allowing 40. The team's record in this stretch was 1-4 while going 3-2.
In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Ball State Cardinals have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
Looking back on the team's last ten games as the favorite, the Western Michigan Broncos have a straight up record of 8-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 7-3.