Northern Illinois vs. Ball State college football picks prediction 10/26/24

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Ball State Cardinals are 2-5 (1-2) this year after losing 24-14 to Vanderbilt in their last game. Ball State led 7-0 in the first quarter and tied the game with 14 points in the third, but they allowed 10 points in the fourth quarter in the loss. The Cardinals had a 420-268 lead overall, tied the turnover battle to zero and were 2-9 on third down in the game. Kadin Semonza threw for 190 yards and a touchdown, while Tanner Koziol caught nine passes for 68 yards and a score.

Ball State also has losses to Miami, Central Michigan, James Madison and Western Michigan, but they have two wins against Missouri State and Kent State. The Ball State offense has scored 25.1 points per game with 223.3 passing yards and 105.6 rushing yards per game while the defense has allowed 42.9 points per game this season. The Cardinals are 39% on third down and 10-18 on fourth down so far this season. Kadin Semonza has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,538 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Tanner Koziol has caught 55 passes for 502 yards and four scores.

Why Ball State will report

• Northern Illinois, as the road favorite, has lost four of its last five games in October.
• Ball State has won each of its last three games as an underdog against Northern Illinois.
• Ball State has covered the spread in each of its last six home games.
• Northern Illinois failed to even out the spread in seven of its last eight games in October as a favorite.

Total score facts

• Six of Ball State's last seven games have exceeded the point total.
• Four of Northern Illinois' last five games in October as away favorites against teams not ranked in the AP rankings have exceeded the point total.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams in yards allowed per game this season (310.9).
• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams in average point differential in the fourth quarter this season (-8.4).
• Northern Illinois ranks 8th among FBS teams in Q2 opponent points per game this season (3.7).
• Northern Illinois ranks 8th among FBS teams in yards allowed per game this season (156.6).

Northern Illinois vs Ball State Prediction

Northern Illinois comes into this matchup after a disappointing loss to Toledo last weekend and has been a very difficult team to overcome this year. The Huskies upset Notre Dame earlier in the season, but they have lost three of their last five games and the offense has been subpar. Ball State put up a decent fight against Vanderbilt in their last game, but their defense has been terrible for most of the season. Despite the poor defensive performance, the Cardinals have only lost two conference games by a total of six points. Take Ball State and the points home.