GMAC Bowl: Ball State-Tulsa Odds Preview

The Ball State Cardinals ruined their perfect season with a loss to Buffalo in the MAC title game and they won't want the year to end on a losing note when they face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane January 6. They will be looking for bowl validation at Ladd Peebles Stadium in the GMAC Bowl. Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Hurricane listed as 3-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 75. Ball State was upset 42-24 in their regular-season finale last time out, as 16-point favorites. The 66 points made it OVER the posted total of 63.5. MiQuale Lewis ran fro 131 yards and two touchdowns in the loss for Ball State. David Johnson finished with 195 yards passing, only one TD and five interceptions for Tulsa as they were upset 27-24 by East Carolina in Week 15. The Golden Hurricane failed to cover the 12.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day's posted total of 66. Team records: Ball State: 12-1 SU, 9-3 ATS Tulsa: 10-3 SU, 7-5 ATS Ball State most recently: When playing in January are 0-1 When playing on turf are 9-1 After outgaining opponent are 9-1 When playing outside the conference are 6-4 Tulsa most recently: When playing in January are 1-1 When playing on turf are 9-1 After outgaining opponent are 7-3 When playing outside the conference are 7-3 A few trends to consider: Ball State is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games Ball State is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games Tulsa is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games Tulsa is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games