Indiana vs. Ball State fearless prediction and game preview.
Indiana vs. Ball State Broadcast
Date: Saturday, August 31
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: CBS Sports Network
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Indiana (0-0) vs. Ball State (0-0) Game Preview
It’s a fun in-state matchup played in the big stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers and Cardinals are playing each other for the tenth time, with IU winning last year 38-10. However, Ball State won in 2011 and 2012 – the Hoosiers are 6-3 in the series – including a victory to open up the 2011 season in Indy.
It eases up even more for IU with Eastern Illinois to follow before hosting Ohio State, and Ball State gets a relative break playing Fordham.
Why Ball State Will Win
The Hoosiers might have back a ton of veterans on the defensive side, but they still have to prove they can stop someone’s passing game. The secondary was killed for 240 yards or more in six of the last seven games, and Ball State has to come out firing.
The Cardinals might be without QB Riley Neal – who left for Vanderbilt – but the receiving corps should be the best in the MAC, or close to it. Even without Neal, the passing attack that led the conference last season should do it again.
They have options at quarterback – Drew Plitt stepped up this offseason and took over the job – and he should be able to push the ball down the field.
Why Indiana Will Win
The Hoosiers are still trying to get the quarterback situation totally settled, but the other skill jobs are set. Stevie Scott is a nice running back coming off a great freshman season, and the receiving corps has excellent veterans to crank up what should be an improve offense.
The Ball State defense might get back nine starters, but can it get into the backfield? There’s no size up front, and the Big Ten offensive line should be able to take advantage of it as the game goes on.
On the other side, yes, Ball State has offensive weapons, but not like IU’s. There’s more than enough talent to pull away as the game goes on – Ball State failed to score more than 16 points five times.
What’s Going To Happen
Ball State will give Indiana a bit more of a fight than the Hoosier fans might like. The Cardinal offense will come up with a few early touchdowns, but it won’t be enough. IU will never feel comfortable, but it’ll have a decent enough lead to not have to press too hard in the fourth.
Indiana vs. Ball State Prediction, Line
Indiana 37, Ball State 17
Line: Indiana -17, o/u: 59
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
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Must See Rating: 2
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NEXT: Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
2019 Ball State Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2019 Preseason MAC Prediction: 3-5
2018 Record: 4-8
– 2019 Ball State Preview
Aug. 31 Indiana (in Indy) L
Sept. 7 Fordham W
Sept. 14 Florida Atlantic L
Sept. 21 at NC State L
Sept. 28 OPEN DATE
Oct. 5 at Northern Illinois L
Oct. 12 at Eastern Michigan W
Oct. 19 Toledo L
Oct. 26 Ohio L
Nov. 5 at Western Michigan L
Nov. 9 OPEN DATE
Nov. 16 Central Michigan W
Nov. 23 at Kent State L
Nov. 29 Miami Univ. W
2019 Indiana Football Schedule
2019 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2019 Preseason Big Ten Prediction: 2-7
2018 Record: 5-7
– 2019 Indiana Preview
Aug. 31 Ball State (in Indy) W
Sept. 7 Eastern Illinois W
Sept. 14 Ohio State L
Sept. 21 UConn W
Sept. 28 at Michigan State L
Oct. 5 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 Rutgers W
Oct. 19 at Maryland L
Oct. 26 at Nebraska L
Nov. 2 Northwestern W
Nov. 9 OPEN DATE
Nov. 16 at Penn State L
Nov. 23 Michigan L
Nov. 30 at Purdue L
