Ball St. Cardinals vs
Purdue BoilermakersPredictions & Preview

Ball State vs. Purdue Prediction: Choosing the Underdog in Rebuilding Teams for Saturday's Matchup

On Saturday at noon, Ball State will take on Purdue in a non-conference matchup at Rose-Ade Stadium. The last time these teams met was in 2010, with Purdue winning 24-13 at home but not covering the point spread of 16.5. Ball State had a 3-9 record last season, with a 2-6 record in the MAC, while Purdue finished 1-11 overall and 0-9 in the Big 10. It remains to be seen who will come out on top in this Ball State vs. Purdue prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +553 | Boilermakers -803
• Spread: Cardinals +17 (-110) | Boilermakers -17 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 48.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Purdue will win straight-up is 89%.

Ball St. Cardinals

Mike Uremovich is taking over as the head coach for Ball State, replacing Mike Neu. The team faces challenges with only four returning starters. Uremovich brings a successful record from FCS Butler. Key players to watch include quarterback Kiael Kelly, who is back leading the offense after a productive season in 2023, and transfer DL Nathan Voorhis, who brings much-needed defensive help. The team is looking to improve its defense, which struggled last season, as well as their rushing game with the addition of former Purdue running back Elijah Jackson.

Purdue Boilermakers

Barry Odom takes over as head coach for a struggling team after Ryan Walters' 1-11 season. The offense is mostly new, with only running back Devin Mockobee returning. Quarterback Ryan Browne, who briefly left for North Carolina but returned, shows promise for the upcoming season. The defense has some new additions, including Crew Wakley and Tahj Ra-El, to help improve a unit that was near the bottom of the rankings last season. Odom has brought in some of his players from UNLV to help bolster the team, including linebacker Mani Powell.

Choosing the Underdog in Rebuilding Teams: Ball State vs. Purdue Decision Making

Selecting a team in the midst of rebuilding can be a challenging decision. In this instance, both teams are in the process of retooling, under new head coaches and staff, and with fresh personnel. Ball State benefits from Kelly's quarterback experience, while Purdue's defense is inexperienced and includes numerous transfers who may require time to establish cohesion. Although Browne's return as quarterback for Purdue is advantageous, his lack of experience is a factor to consider. Therefore, it may be wise to consider betting on the underdog team.

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