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Ball State vs. UMass prediction: MACtion picks, odds, best bets for Wednesday
UMass are tipped to beat Ball State in Wednesday’s Midweek MACtion game, with the Minutemen favoured by three points at home. The article argues that their season so far merits greater respect and that a win would bring them closer to a possible first bowl appearance.
UMass are 4-4 under Joe Harasymiak, after going 0-12 last season; since joining FBS in 2012, they have won no more than four games in any season. They opened this season with a win at Rutgers and have also had close losses to Buffalo and Miami (Ohio), while Ball State are 3-5 and on a two-game run of wins over Bowling Green and Sacramento State. The article says Ball State have struggled against stronger opposition and backs UMass based on their overall results, statistics and home advantage.
In short
- UMass are three-point home favourites against Ball State.
- A win would move UMass closer to a possible bowl appearance.
- The article backs UMass over a Ball State side with mixed results.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
UMass have made a marked improvement, reaching 4-4 after last season’s winless campaign, and their win at Rutgers and close games against Buffalo and Miami (Ohio) suggest they can compete with stronger teams. At home, they have a credible case to be favoured against a Ball State side whose recent wins came against Bowling Green and Sacramento State; a win would also bring UMass closer to a significant bowl milestone.
The case against
Ball State’s two consecutive wins show that they are building momentum, and their 3-5 record is not far behind UMass’s 4-4 mark. UMass’s improvement is notable, but it does not by itself establish that they are the stronger team, particularly given their close losses; Ball State could exploit any overconfidence in the home favourite and make the game more competitive than the odds suggest.