Ball State Cardinals (1-4) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (3-1)
October 10, 2026 12:30 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats -100000 / Ball State Cardinals 5000; Over/Under: 52.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Northwestern vs Ball State prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 10th at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 6 matchup.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-1 (1-1) this year after they defeated Penn State by a score of 34-13 last week. Northwestern led 24-7 at halftime and they were able to cruise to the relatively easy win in the second half. The Wildcats out gained Penn State by a total of 506-291, went 5-12 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Aidan Chiles threw for 93 yards, while Griffin Wilde caught two passes for 36 yards. Caleb Komolafe rushed 25 times for 188 yards and one score in the win.
Prior to that game, Northwestern lost to Indiana by a score of 29-23, but did beat Colorado by a score of 41-7 before that. The Wildcats have scored 33.0 points per game with 225.0 passing yards and 212.8 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 16.8 points against per game this season. Aidan Chiles has thrown for 900 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions this year.
Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
The Ball State Cardinals are 1-4 (0-2) this season after they lost to Toledo by a score of 39-24 in their last game. Ball State trailed 15-10 at halftime and 22-17 in the third, but they allowed 17 points in the fourth in the loss. The Cardinals were out gained by a total of 553-370, went 5-12 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Keldric Luster threw for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Donovan Hamilton caught six passes for 70 yards. TJ Horton rushed nine times for 90 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
Prior to that game, Ball State lost to Kent State by a score of 26-13 and Liberty by a score of 51-15. The Cardinals have scored 19.2 points per game with 174.2 passing yards and 123.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 37.8 points against per game this season. Keldric Luster has thrown for 662 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Ball State has lost each of its last 14 road games against non-conference opponents.
- The home team has won 16 of Ball State’s last 18 games.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Ball State’s last six games.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
- Ball State has lost the first half in each of its last 14 road games against non-conference opponents.
- The home team has won the first quarter in each of Ball State’s last seven games.
Why the Ball State Cardinals will win
- Ball State has won six of its last eight games against teams from Illinois.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of Ball State’s last nine games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Northwestern’s last four games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, Joseph Himon II is one of only five players in the FBS to record 3+ rushing and 3+ receiving TDs this season.
Ball State Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, TJ Horton ranks 12th amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (8.2) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northwestern ranks 2nd among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.5).
- Northwestern ranks T10th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (6.3).
- Ball State ranks 138th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (13.6).
- Ball State has lost the fourth quarter in each of its last three games – equal-longest active streak in the FBS.
Northwestern vs Ball State Prediction
Northwestern rolls into this matchup after a great start to the season, as they are one of the surprise teams in college football. Ball State is just 1-4 through five games and they have yet to win a FBS game. The Cardinals have allowed 39+ points in three of their five games and they have scored 15 or fewer in three of five. Northwestern should win this game easily, but I also expect them to take it easy in the second half with a Big Ten road game next week. Take Ball State and the points here.
