This year the Beef O'Brady's Bowl features the Ball State Cardinals of the Mid American Conference against the University of Central Florida Knights of Conference USA. So here's a primer on the game between these two schools using the NCAA FBS production model.
The Ball State Cardinals finished the regular season at 9-3 playing against a strength of schedule of 71.92 which is still an average strength of schedule as compared to the rest of the "league". Ball State's most impressive win was against currently #57 ranked Toledo. Each of the Cardinal's three losses occurred to teams that are currently ranked in the top 40 overall (Northern Illinois, Clemson and Kent State). Ball State is currently the #76 ranked team overall with the #52 ranked offense and the #94th ranked defense.
The University of Central Florida Knights finished the regular season at 9-4 while playing a strength of schedule that is easier than the league as a whole. UCF's best win was against currently ranked #63 SMU, while three of their losses were to teams in the top 40 (Ohio State and Tulsa (twice)). Their other loss was to currently ranked #92 Missouri. The University of Central Florida Knights are currently ranked as the #34 team in the football bowl subdivision, with the #20 offense and the #51 ranked defense.
Given that the University of Central Florida Knights are superior to the Ball State Cardinals on both sides of the ball, the model "predicts" that the University of Central Florida will be victorious in today's Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
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