MAC Championship Game Stat Primer: Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls

Jaret Patterson leads the attack for the Buffalo Bulls who are looking to pull off an undefeated season in the MAC. Will Drew Plitt and the Ball State offense be able to keep up?

Betting Odds and Trends 

• Buffalo -13.5
• O/U 67.5
• Over has hit in 22 out of Buffalo’s last 32 games
• Buffalo 4-1 ATS in 2020

Ball State record in MAC Championship Game: 0-1

• First appearance since 2008 (lost to Buffalo 42-24)

Buffalo record in MAC Championship Game: 1-1

• 2nd MAC Championship appearance in 3 years

This is Ball State’s first winning season since 2013, how did they end up 5-1?

• Won 4 of their 5 games by one possession
• Have won 2 games where they were trailing by 10+ points in the second half
• Caleb Huntley averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 6 touchdowns

Ball State has relied on passing attack all year led by senior Drew Plitt

• Plitt ranks 2nd in the MAC in completion percentage (66.3), passing yards (1,674), and passing touchdowns (13)
• 3 receivers finished the regular season with 30+ receptions (Justin Hall, Yo’Heinz Tyler, and Antwan Davis)
• Justin Hall is averaging 103.3 receiving yards per game (4th in MAC)

The dominance of Jaret Patterson

• 1,025 rushing yards (8th in FBS)
• 18 touchdowns (3rd in FBS)
• 205.0 yards per game (1st in FBS)
• All in just 5 games
• Unaware that Kent State players had families 

Buffalo’s defense has been steady at the top of the MAC

• Allowing 5.32 yards per play (1st in MAC)
• Have recorded an interception in every game this year
• Malcolm Koonce leads the way with 4 sacks (T-5th in MAC)

How will Ball State counter the Buffalo run game

• Ball State has allowed 100+ rushing yards in 5 of 6 games

How will Buffalo counter the Ball State passing attack

Who is going to leave Ford Field as the MAC Champion? Let me know on Twitter @James_Costanz.