The race to qualify for the MAC championship game will come to a head on Friday, with the Ball State vs Ohio matchup from Athens being a huge part of the equation. Ohio can lock their spot in the conference championship game up with a win at home, in a game Ohio is favored in by 14.5 points. Continue reading to get our college football picks for this massive Ball State vs Ohio contest in the final week of the regular season in college football.
Can Ball State Play Spoiler In Season Finale?
The Ball State Cardinals don’t have a ton to play for on Saturday, as they take on the Ohio Bobcats. They are 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the MAC for the season. But the Cardinals can spoil Ohio’s chances of making it to the conference championship game the week after this contest by upsetting Ohio on the road. If that is going to happen, Ball State’s defense needs to wake up, as they have given up 38.6 points per game during their recent three-game losing streak.
Ohio With Everything to Play For On Friday
Ohio has a very simple situation to contend with heading into the final week of their regular season. All they need to do is win at home against Ball State and they are in the MAC championship game to face the winner of Miami (OH) vs Bowling Green on Friday. The Bobcats have won four straight games coming into this crucial matchup, allowing just 8.25 points per game during that winning streak. If the Ohio defense can impose its will on this game as well, the Bobcats should cruise into conference championship weekend.
Ball State vs Ohio Betting Pick
This Ball State vs Ohio game is a matchup featuring two defenses playing at entirely different levels of late. Ball State is struggling to get stops, while Ohio is playing its best on defense toward the end of the season. Look for that to make the difference in this game, as we expect Ohio to cover the spread as a double-digit favorite en route to a trip to the MAC title game.
