Both Kent State and Ball State have struggled at different points this season. But both have an outside chance of making a bowl game, which makes tonight’s matchup important for both programs.
Ball State is 3-5 and 2-2 in the MAC. Since losing to two Power Four programs, Purdue and Auburn, to begin the year, the Cardinals have alternated winning and losing. They beat FCS New Hampshire, Ohio, and Akron – all at home – and they lost to UConn, Western Michigan, and Northern Illinois – all on the road.
Kent State (3-5, 2-2) began the year with a 21-17 victory over FCS Merrimack, snapping their 21-game losing streak going back to 2023. The Golden Flashes lost their next four games, three being on the road against Power Four opponents Texas Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma, and the other being a three-point game against Buffalo.
But the Golden Flashes have won two of their last three contests. They beat UMass 42-6 and Bowling Green 24-21 with a 45-10 loss at Toledo sandwiched in the middle.
Kent State vs. Ball State Betting Odds
Ball State is a three-point college football betting odds favorite against Kent State, with the Over/Under being 47.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Kent State is +125, while it’s -150 for Ball State.
Kent State vs. Ball State On TV
The matchup between Kent State and Ball State will be televised on ESPNU. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The contest is taking place at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.
Kent State vs. Ball State Prediction
I predict Ball State will win and cover the 2.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 46.5 total points.
Neither team has been exactly spectacular on either side of the ball. But the Cardinals have been slightly better on defense.
They rank 10th in the MAC in scoring defense (29.8 points per game allowed) and total defense (415.6 yards per game allowed). Kent State is 12th (36.5 PPG allowed) and 13th (466.3 YPG allowed) in those respective categories out of 13 MAC teams.
Ball State is also slightly better in total offense (272.8 YPG) than Kent State (268.1 YPG) while the Golden Flashes have a slightly better scoring offense (18.6 PPG) than the Cardinals (16.4 PPG).
Ball State’s rushing attack has been decent this year. Qua Ashley leads the Cardinals with 513 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Kiael Kelly has 417 yards and a team-high five touchdowns on the ground while passing for 982 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 57% completion rate. I think the Cardinals will be able to move the ball on the ground effectively against Kent State.
I also like the Cardinals’ resume a bit more, especially the fact that they’re undefeated at home. I think they lean on their defense in this one on the way to another home victory.
