Posted on
1/4/2008 6:12:30 PM
Bet On NCAA Football - Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Ball St. Cardinals
By Robby Maddux
The Ball State Cardinals (+10½), which is 0-4-1 SU (straight up) all-time in bowls, comes into Saturday's International Bowl having covered the spread in eleven of its last 14 contest as they look to further build the bankrolls of the NCAA football betting public supporting them against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (-10½).
The Cardinals come into this contest at 7-5 SU and 7-4 ATS (against the spread). They are led by sophomore quarterback Nate Davis, who leads the MAC with 3,376 passing yards and a school-record 27 touchdown passes, while only throwing six interceptions. His outstanding season helped the Cardinals average 31.6 points per game.
Davis' top option is junior wide receiver Dante Love, the conference leader with 1,229 receiving yards as well as nine touchdowns on 87 catches.
Love, named to the All-MAC first team, had a strong finish to the regular season with 28 catches for 440 yards and two touchdowns in the final three games but his team failed to cover the spread in two of those contests during that span.
On defense, the Cardinals are allowing 26.3 points per game and 418.8 yards. 221.8 yards are being surrendered via the pass and 197.0 are given up on the ground. They rank 10th in the MAC and among the worst in the country against the run.
- Cardinals are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
- Cardinals are 11-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Ball State's weak defensive ground game will be tested by running back Ray Rice, one of seven Knights on the All-Big East team.
Rice became the first Rutgers player to rush for three 1,000-yard seasons in a row and score 20 touchdowns in consecutive years. He has run for 1,732 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, and even got involved in the passing game with career highs of 23 receptions, 224 yards and a score. He totaled 12 catches for 95 yards in his previous two seasons.
Quarterback Mike Teel finished the regular season with 2,844 yards passing, 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was sacked only six times.
Tiquan Underwood was Teel's primary target. Underwood had a breakout season with a team-high 62 receptions for 1,028 yards and six scores after totaling 27 catches for 337 yards and four touchdowns in his previous two years.
As a unit, Rutgers scored 31.2 points per game and collected 437.2 yards. Meanwhile, the defense allowed 21.8 points and 316.5 yards. The Scarlet Knights come into this contest at 7-5 SU and 5-6 ATS.
- Scarlet Knights are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.
- Scarlet Knights are 7-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Scarlet Knights are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
NCAA football odds list Rutgers the 10-point favorites with a game total of 61.
- Scarlet Knights are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.
- Cardinals are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog of 10.5 or greater.
Analysis: Rice should have a huge day running against the Ball State rushing defense. The Doak Walker award winner will run
Rutgers to a cover win. Just too much Rice in this one!
NCAA Football Free Picks: Rutgers Scarlet Knights -10½
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