Ball State vs. Toledo Betting: Will the Rockets roll at home with first place on the line?

This week’s MACtion is highlighted by a first-place matchup in the West Division with Ball State (5-4, 3-2) visiting Toledo (6-3, 4-1).

The Rockets lost at Buffalo a couple of weeks ago in a matchup that we might see again at next month’s MAC Championship Game at Ford Field in Detroit.

But the Rockets are 3-0 within their division and head into their matchup with the Cardinals after a 27-24 win at Eastern Michigan on October 29.

Toledo starting QB Dequan Finn missed the trip to Ypsilanti due to an injury suffered in the loss to Buffalo, and the offense struggled to produce in the first three quarters against the Eagles.

But backup Tucker Gleeson rallied the Rockets for the win, hooking up with Lenny Kuhl for the go-ahead score with just over two minutes left.

Tucker Gleason completes a 37-yard pass on fourth-and-10 and follows it up with a 2-yard TD pass to Lenny Kuhl.

Toledo 27, Eastern Michigan 24, 2:09 left.

— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) October 29, 2022

The Cardinals lost three of their first four games to open the season, but they have won four of five, all by seven or fewer points.

Last Tuesday, they picked up a 27-20 win at Kent State. Running back Carson Steele, who is ninth in the FBS in rushing yards, ran for 192 yards and a score, and QB John Paddock connected with Tanner Koziol for the decisive score with 3:21 left.

Koziol has that clutch gene! ?#1AAT x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/zQePjzVUKL

— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) November 2, 2022

Ball State vs. Toledo Matchup Information

• Matchup: Ball State Cardinals (5-4, 3-2 MAC, 2nd in the MAC West) vs. Toledo Rockets (6-3, 4-1 MAC, 1st in the MAC West)
• Venue & Location: Glass Bowl (Toledo, Ohio)
• Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
• Game Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Ball State vs. Toledo: ESPN

Ball State vs. Toledo Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Monday, November 7 at 3:50 p.m. Eastern.

Spread

• Ball State +11.5 (-110)
• Toledo -11.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 50.5 (-110)
• Under 50.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Ball State +340
• Toledo -450

Ball State vs. Toledo Prediction

Toledo to win

Ball State’s last five games and all five of their MAC games have been decided by seven or fewer points, and they have come out on top in four of them. So, I certainly don’t discount their ability to keep things close in Toledo.

But even if Finn, who has thrown for 1,637 yards and 18 touchdowns and run for 520 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games this season, isn’t back in action against Ball State, Toledo’s offense should run more smoothly with Gleeson now having a start under his belt.

The Cardinals have one of the most porous run defenses in the FBS, as they allow an average of 189.8 rushing yards per game (at 4.2 yards per attempt). As a result, the Rockets, who average 187.8 rushing yards per game (at 4.7 yards per attempt), should be able to do much better than the 136 yards on 3.9 yards per attempt that they had against Eastern Michigan, whether Gleeson or Finn is on the field.

Steele may hit the 100-yard mark for the fifth straight game and eighth time this season against a defense that allows 158.1 rushing yards per game, and that can help the Cardinals make a game of it.

But after a serious scare at Eastern Michigan, Toledo shouldn’t find themselves in a similar spot against Ball State.

Ball State vs. Toledo Best Bets

• Ball State/Toledo over (Best Value: over 50.5 @ -110 at BetOnline, Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM)
• Toledo team total over (Best Value: over 30.5 @ -128 at BetOnline)