Central Michigan at Ball State Week 8 College Football Matchup Central Michigan at Ball State Matchup - Week 8
Sat, Oct 21 2023 · Week 8 · 🏟 Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN · Turf · 22,500 cap
Central Michigan✈ 234 miSame TZ
17 24
Final
Home
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Central Michigan
19
Ball State
26
P&R Line Ball State -6.5
P&R Total O/U 44.5
Confidence 86 High
Vegas Central Michigan -5 · O/U 42.0
Matchup Prediction
Central Michigan has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Central Michigan entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Central Michigan wins
Lean
Game Control
58.3%
Central Michigan wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
Central Michigan -5
O/U 42.0
William Hill (New Jersey)
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Ball State · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Ball State 2nd straight Home Game
Central Michigan 2023 Schedule
Central Michigan's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/1Central Michigan at Michigan State+14.0L7–3145.0L7–31UN
Sat 9/9Central Michigan vs New Hampshire-7.0W45–4248.5W45–42ON
Sat 9/16Central Michigan at Notre Dame+34.5L17–4151.5L17–41OY
Sat 9/23Central Michigan at South Alabama+16.5W34–3046.5W34–30OY
Sat 9/30Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-9.5W26–2345.0W26–23ON
Sat 10/7Central Michigan at Buffalo-2.5L13–3751.5L13–37UN
Sat 10/14Central Michigan vs Akron-10.5W17–1044.0W17–10UN
Sat 10/21Central Michigan at Ball State-5.0L17–2442.0L17–24UN
— Bye Week —
Tue 10/31Central Michigan vs Northern Illinois+3.0W37–3148.0W37–31OY
Tue 11/7Central Michigan at Western Michigan+3.5L28–3857.5L28–38ON
Wed 11/15Central Michigan at Ohio+11.5L20–3448.5L20–34ON
Fri 11/24Central Michigan vs Toledo+12.5L17–3254.5L17–32UN
Ball State 2023 Schedule
Ball State's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2Ball State at Kentucky+25.0L14–4449.0L14–44ON
Sat 9/9Ball State at Georgia+42.0L3–4552.5L3–45UY
Sat 9/16Ball State vs Indiana State-26.0W45–745.0W45–7OY
Sat 9/23Ball State vs Georgia Southern+6.0L3–4060.0L3–40UN
Sat 9/30Ball State at Western Michigan+1.5L24–4250.0L24–42ON
Sat 10/7Ball State at Eastern Michigan+2.5L10–2443.5L10–24UN
Sat 10/14Ball State vs Toledo+17.5L6–1348.5L6–13UY
Sat 10/21Ball State vs Central Michigan+5.0W24–1742.0W24–17UY
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/1Ball State at Bowling Green+4.5L21–2439.5L21–24OY
Tue 11/7Ball State at Northern Illinois+9.5W20–1743.5W20–17UY
Sat 11/18Ball State vs Kent State-10.5W34–341.5W34–3UY
Sat 11/25Ball State vs Miami (OH)+3.5L15–1734.5L15–17UY
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2023 season
Ball State PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Ball State
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Central Michigan #83
+0.348
Ball State #97
+0.456
Ball State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Central Michigan #108
+0.431
Ball State #128
+0.462
Ball State Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Central Michigan #119
0.135
Ball State #60
0.165
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Ball State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Central Michigan #39
+8.013
Ball State #105
+7.743
Central Michigan Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Central Michigan #101
+0.813
Ball State #95
+0.853
Ball State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Central Michigan #80
70.9
Ball State #90
71.2
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Central Michigan Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2023 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Central Michigan Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Central Michigan
-4.9
Ball State
-21.6
Offense Rating
Central Michigan
15.1
Ball State
5.9
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Central Michigan
20.0
Ball State
27.5
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Central Michigan Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Central Michigan #99
0.33
Ball State #127
0.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Central Michigan #93
1.33
Ball State #111
1.83
Central Michigan +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 6 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Central Michigan Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Central Michigan #1
30.1
Ball State #1
19.2
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Central Michigan #112
50.1
Ball State #97
62.4
Central Michigan +10.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.3% of games historically
Based on 7 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Central Michigan. Teams with this edge profile have covered 50.3% historically — essentially a coin flip against the spread.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Central Michigan
Jim McElwain #1
25–23 (52%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Paul Petrino Yr 2 #1
DC Robb Akey Yr 3 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Ball State
Mike Neu #1
34–50 (41%) · Yr 8 at school
OC Jared Elliott Yr 1 #1
DC Tyler Stockton Yr 3 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself