The Ball State Cardinals and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet in week 1 college football action from Ohio Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Ball State Cardinals vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction.
Ball State Cardinals Team Preview
The Ball State Cardinals come into the 2026 season looking to bounce back from a frustrating 2025 campaign where the Cardinals ended the year at 4-8 overall including a 3-5 record in MAC play in Mike Uremovich’s first year in charge. Keldric Luster comes in after playing for GJ Kinne at Texas State while Tyler Mizzell transferred in from Concord to provide a battle. Donovan Hamilton is back in Ball State’s receiving group while Jabari Smith comes over from FAU to help in the slot. The running back room needs work, and the defense will have a huge test in the beginning of the year. That being said, the Cardinals got lots of transfers in Keilan Smith (Cincinnati) and Ka’Shawn Thomas (Wake Forest) to bulk up the D-Line and Cincear Lewis (Cincinnati) to help the linebackers.
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes come into 2026 with the mindset of championship or bust after going 12-2 in 2025, including a 9-0 mark in Big Ten play. The mark was good enough for Ohio State to make the college football playoff, despite a 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes’ stay was short-lived, as they were ousted in the Cotton Bowl Classic against Miami by a final score of 24-14. Julian Sayin is back at QB for year three after a heisman candidacy in 2025, throwing for 32 TDs in 2025 Bo Jackson is back at RB for the Buckeyes and Jeremiah Smith is back as one of the premier receivers in college football. On the flipside, the Buckeye defense loses their top 5 tacklers, but Earl Little, John Walker, Payton Pierce and Devin Sanchez are some of the names that are next in line in the Buckeye defense and are some of the premier names in the Big Ten on that side of the ball.
Ball State Cardinals @ Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends: Week 1
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 33 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Ball State has lost each of its last 18 road games in September.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six road openers.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games at Ohio Stadium.
- Ohio State has won the first quarter in each of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio State has won the first half each of its last 21 September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Ball State Cardinals will win
- Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five home openers.
- Ball State has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ball State’s last eight games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Ohio State’s last four games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Ohio State Buckeyes Player Prop Facts
- Julian Sayin has recorded a 120.0+ passer rating in 14 consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS.
Ball State Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- TJ Horton was one of only 40 players in the FBS to have a kick return touchdown last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for points allowed per game last season (9.3).
- Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game last season (1.1).
- Ball State have had suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team last season (6).
- Ball State scored fewer than 10 points in five road games last season – most of any FBS team.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction
I’m on Ohio State in this one. I get the case to be made for Ball State with a look-ahead spot against Texas on deck, but Ball State just doesn’t have the talent to keep up with Ohio State. This feels like a game where Ohio State’s up 35-0 or 42-0 at the half and just pour on for a statement even with the backups in. There’s much better places to have your money on Saturday’s card, but I’m rocking with the Buckeyes here.