Ball State Cardinals vs Kentucky Wildcats predictions

Both Kentucky and Ball State are expected to have strong defenses but struggle offensively in their season opener, making the under 49.5 a solid bet for this game. Read on for our free match preview and betting picks.

Match Live Friday 2 September, 12:00 PM ET

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Ball State Cardinals vs Kentucky Wildcats predictions: Kentucky Wildcats’ Defense to Shine in Season Opener

The Under Trend

Kentucky and Ball State both ended the 2022 season by cashing the under in each of their final five games. This trend, especially for the Wildcats, was attributed to their stellar defense despite a lackluster offense. Even with Will Levis, now with the Tennessee Titans, at the quarterback position, the Wildcats were unable to finish in the top 100 in several key categories, including yards per game, points per game, points per opportunity, and success rate on passing downs. NC State transfer Devin Leary is set to take over as quarterback, providing a different dynamic for the Wildcats. However, given the defensive mindset of head coach Mark Stoops, a major offensive turnaround in the season opener is unlikely.

Ball State’s Offense in Transition

Ball State is also expected to face challenges on offense, as they will be without quarterback John Paddock and All-MAC running back Carson Steele. However, there is a silver lining for the Cardinals as they have acquired Marquez Cooper from Kent State via the transfer portal. Cooper has amassed over 2,500 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Additionally, Layne Hatcher will be stepping in as quarterback, bringing much-needed experience to the position. Despite these promising new additions, scoring points in Lexington is always a daunting task. With a strong Wildcats’ defense and the Week 1 crowd in full force, it is hard to have faith in either offense to light up the scoreboard.

Predicting a Low-Scoring Affair

Given the circumstances, it is expected that Kentucky will win this game comfortably, with a predicted score in the range of 34-10 or 31-6. Taking all factors into consideration, the under 49.5 seems like a reliable bet for this matchup.

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