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The Ball State Cardinals watched the action from their couches last weekend, but are set to take to the field. Bowl season is underway, and they and the San Jose State Spartans will compete for postseason bragging rights in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday.
The Cardinals had a touchdown and change to spare in a 38-28 win over the Buffalo Bulls last Friday. The team accrued 35 points in the first half and coasted on those for the victory. QB Drew Plitt and WR Justin Hall were among the main playmakers for Ball State as the former passed for three TDs and 273 yards on 32 attempts in addition to punching in one rushing touchdown and the latter snatched one receiving TD. Near the top of the highlight reel was Plitt's 56-yard TD bomb to WR Jalen McGaughy in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, when you finish with 265 more yards than your opponent like SJSU did last week, a favorable outcome is almost sure to follow. They were able to grind out a solid victory over the Boise State Broncos, winning 34-20. SJSU's QB Nick Starkel did his thing and passed for three TDs and 453 yards on 52 attempts. Starkel's 55-yard touchdown toss to WR Tre Walker in the first quarter made for one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
Special teams collected 14 points for SJSU. K Matt Mercurio delivered a perfect 4-for-4 game.
Ball State is expected to lose this next one by 9.5. Those playing the odds have seen things go back and forth with the Cardinals, who are 3-3 against the spread.
Two defensive stats to keep an eye on: Ball State is ninth worst in the nation in passing yards allowed per game, with 296.6 on average. To make matters even worse for Ball State, SJSU comes into the matchup boasting the 12th fewest touchdowns allowed in the nation at 14.
