GMAC BowlBall State was looking good coming into the MAC Championship game a few weeks ago. They were ranked #12 in the country, were 12-0, and facing a 7-6 Buffalo team. What could go wrong right? Well, everything. With 4 Turnovers and a mess on defense, Ball St. gave up 42 points and lost for the first time all season. In the GMAC Bowl, they get to face Tulsa, who is second in the nation with 565.0 yards a contest and is led
by QB David Johnson. The senior is second in the nation with a 179.6 passer rating,
completing 64.8 percent of his attempts for 3,866 yards and 43 TDs against 11
INTs in his first season as a starter. Geez, sounds like Big 12 type of numbers, and we all know how they did ATS this Bowl Season.
Ball State's coach has left for supposed greener pastures, so Offensive Coordinator Stan Parrish will take the reigns. I really think there should be a rule that you can't leave your team before the bowl, but with recruiting the way it is and the timing, it's a catch 22. Anyways, Ball State is no slouch on the offensive side of the ball with QB Nate Davis. They are scoring over 36 ppg and also gaining over 450 ypg. Their defense is giving up less than 19 ppg, and they are a great 8-3-1 ATS.
Tulsa, meanwhile, despite gaining 550+ ypg and scoring over 47, are giving up close to 30 ppg. Their Turnover ratio is -8 compared to Ball St.'s +8, and I think they may have problems tonight.
Ball State is going to be playing for their new OC, and while some might think that is a bad thing, it can sometime be a blessing in disguise, especially if he is a players coach compared to the old head coach. I'm going to go with the underdog in this one. Go Cardinals.
