Ball State will look to try and put together a magical season like their 2020 campaign, while the Tennessee Volunteers will hope to build off of what looked like a promising 2021 season. Continue reading for a Cardinals vs. Volunteers score prediction.
NCAAF 2021-22 Season Standings
After winning the MAC championship during a surprising 2020 season, the Ball State Cardinals finished last year with a losing record for the seventh time in eight seasons and are backed to being picked last in the West division by most experts.
The Cardinals went 6-6 to be bowl-eligible but lost to Georgia State 51-20 to finish 2021 with a 6-7 record. The Tennessee Volunteers haven’t won ten games since 2007, only winning nine games twice since then.
Looking at the last season’s college football standings, the Volunteers finished with a 7-6 record to play in the Music City Bowl, where they lost to Purdue Boilermakers, and finished their promising 2021 season with a 7-7 record.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Tennessee Volunteers Odds Breakdown
When making a Cardinals vs. Volunteers score prediction, it is important to take a look at the betting odds.
It appears that the oddsmakers in Vegas didn’t see the Tennessee Volunteers having any trouble with the Ball State Cardinals when they put out the NCAAF odds for this game.
Odds for this Matchup
The Volunteers are 33.5 point favorites in this contest, with the total being set at 68.5 with the over and under both being -110
Tennessee was horrible last season against the spread going 4-8 with a 3-5 against the spread against the SEC. The Cardinals finished last year with a 4-9 record against the spread.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Ball State Cardinals
QB Drew Plitt is gone, with the undersized John Paddock (5-11, 196 pounds) his likely replacement. Paddock reportedly was mostly dinking and dunking short passes during the spring, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to get the ball downfield in the fall.
Paddock does have some returning receivers to work with in Jayshon Jackson (69 catches) and Yo’Heinz Tyler (49).
Running back Carson Steele (891 yards, 4.6 yards per carrying) should take some pressure off Paddock, and the backs are also capable in the passing game.
Cardinals Backup
They’ll all operate behind a line that dealt with a lot of injuries last year, but the backups should benefit from the playing time and the line should be improved with the return of seniors Jaylen Turner and Joseph Boggs.
The defense didn’t fall off as badly as the offense last season, but it still allowed 28.4 points and 419.4 yards per game.
Ball State’s Best Games
It’s surprising that one of Ball State’s best games was against run-happy Army in a 28-16 victory, but the Cardinals ended up allowing 176.4 rushing yards per game (95th in the nation) overall and had a hard time getting their opponents off the field.
- DE Tavion Woodard (team-high five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss)
- LB Clayton Coll (team-high 103 tackles)
Are back along with CB Amechi Uzodinma, but there isn’t much experience behind them.
Tennessee Volunteers
The optimism for the Tennessee Volunteers comes from their offense. Under first-year head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols scored 39.3 points per game and had 6.5 yards per play.
It was the first time since 2016 that the Volunteers averaged over 36 points per game and more than 6 yards per play. Heupel’s fast tempo and a bevy of big plays generated a lot of excitement.
So did Hendon Hooker. The Virginia Tech Hokies transfer posted a 31-3 TD-INT ratio while completing 68% of his passes.
Hooker’s Play
Hooker’s play left a lot of people wondering how Joe Milton won the QB competition before the season, especially because Hooker was also the team’s second-leading rusher for a group that had 4.9 yards per carry. Leading rusher Jabari Small is also back after rushing for 5.6 yards per pop.
Leading receiver Cedric Tillman also returns and will shoulder a bigger load with Velus Jones Jr. now a member of the Chicago Bears, but USC transfer and former No. 1 WR recruit Bru McCoy transferred in and should get a good look.
Volunteers Defense
Jones was also one of the nation’s best kick returners, so special teams may be an area to watch. The defensive unit remains the big unknown for the Volunteers. The defense was fine, but pretty average across the board in a lot of areas.
Tennessee outscored opponents 190-51 in the first quarter, so going 7-6 is a pretty big indictment on the defense and its ability to protect leads.
Tennessee did not win a game without scoring at least 38 points and even lost the Music City Bowl despite scoring 45 points.
Star defensive back Alontae Taylor and top pass rusher Theo Jackson are both gone, but the Vols have been able to recruit at a high level under Heupel, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some highly touted freshmen and sophomores get more of a look.
Tim Banks: Defensive Coordinator
Perhaps the defense jells more in the second year under defensive coordinator Tim Banks, but allowing 273 passing yards per game won’t fly.
Tennessee had one of the worst red zone defenses in the nation, as opponents scored on 92% of their trips inside the 20 and scored a touchdown on 72%, which ranked 119th in the nation.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Pick and Prediction
College football picks against the spread are always hard in Week 1 of the NCAAF schedule, but this one is pretty clear-cut and dry.
The offense for the Ball State Cardinals simply does not have enough firepower to overcome their deficiencies on defense.
Who to Bet On?
The offense of Tennessee will have a field day against the Cardinals’ defense and could possibly go over the 50 for this contest.
Give me the Volunteers against the spread on this one. As for the Cardinals vs. Volunteers score prediction, bet on 50:15 in favor of the Volunteers.
Final Score Prediction: Tennessee Volunteers 50 – Ball State Cardinals 15
NCAAF Pick: Tennessee Volunteers -35 (-110)
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