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NFL Divisional Playoffs
Top 100 NFL Fantasy Players According to Our Statistics ($9.95)
Ball State Cardinals vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
1/5/08
by Kris Lazaro
The Ball State Cardinals take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the annual International Bowl that will be held this year at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada this Saturday, January 5th, 2008. Oddsmakers have made the Big East team Rutgers an opening 10 point favorite, with recent betting action close to game time pushing the line to its current state of Rutgers –11.
Ball State is 7-5 on the season, but a respectable 7-4 against the spread. Away from home they are 4-3, but a great bet against the number, as they are 5-2 ATS. Most recently, they beat rival Northern Illinois by the score of 27-21, but failing to cover the 9.5-point road favorite spread. The author does not honestly see any statistical difference between this squad and Rutgers. In what should be an entertaining game, these Cardinals should hang tough with the squad from Jersey.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are heading into this game off a disappointing loss to their rival, the Louisville Cardinals, by the score of 41-38 and losing the 2.5 road underdog spread. Rutgers has not been the same team this year as in year’s past, and comparing their statistical record against Ball State, the author cannot find a reason to back this squad, let alone the double-digit tariff that the oddsmakers have labeled Rutgers to be. Rutgers is also 7-5 on the season, but 5-6 against the number. Away from Piscataway, they are 2-2 in both the straight up and against the spread record.
Again, the author suggests getting the best line on the underdog, as the line will improve closer to game-time. The majority of the public are mostly on the Knights to annihilate this ‘bad’ Ball State team, but the author would beg to differ. Take the points and enjoy and high-scoring affair, as the Cardinals of Ball State and the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers light up the skies on Saturday morning.
Game prediction: 44-38 Ball State.
