Ball State at Miami Ohio

Ball State is not good. But the Cardinals have a knack for covering the spread, often because they are undervalued. That's the case here. The Cardinals have covered 61% of their last 18 games. Miami of Ohio's offense can't be counted on after starting quarterback Dequan Finn quit the team two games ago. Finn had thrown for 1,451 yards and rushed for another 395 yards, while accounting for 13 touchdowns. The RedHawks were impressive in a 37-20 road win against Buffalo last week. However, they lost, 24-3, at home to Toledo in the first game Finn missed. Miami of Ohio averages 24.4 points a game, which ranks 104th. The RedHawks are 115th in yards per game and 111th in passing yards. It is asking a lot for such a mediocre offense to cover this large a point spread. Ball State did give up 38 points to Toledo in its last game. The Cardinals, though, had allowed an average of 19.3 points per game over their previous three games, against Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Northern Illinois. Take Ball State.