- Matchup: Ball State Cardinals vs UMass Minutemen
- Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Venue: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, MA
- Broadcast: ESPNU
- Betting Line: Minutemen favored by 3.5 points
- Total Points (Over/Under): 48.5
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This matchup takes place at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, where the UMass Minutemen (4-4) will face the Ball State Cardinals (3-5) on November 4, 2026. According to the latest betting lines, UMass is favored by 3.5 points, with an over/under total set at 48.5 points.
The Ball State Cardinals enter this game with a current season record of 3-5. Their most recent performance saw them triumph over the Sacramento State Hornets, winning decisively 34-17. Over the course of that game, they executed 70 offensive plays, racking up a total of 417 yards. The Cardinals dominated the ground game with 43 carries for 183 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. On defense, they held their opponents to 54 rushing yards on 27 attempts, averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Through the air, Ball State allowed 19 completions out of 31 attempts, amounting to 212 yards, with a completion percentage of 61.3%.
For the season, Ball State has accumulated 2,700 total offensive yards. In terms of scoring, they have recorded 10 touchdowns through the air and 13 on the ground, with 9 turnovers to date. The Cardinals have achieved 153 first downs and have committed 64 penalties for a total of 565 yards. They average 141.3 rushing yards per game, placing them 90th in NCAA Division 1. On average, the team scores 22.0 points per game.
Defensively, the Cardinals are struggling, currently sitting at 131st in the nation with an average of 35.3 points allowed per game. Opponents are gaining an average of 5.1 yards per rush and 183.1 rushing yards per game against them. Throughout the season, they’ve conceded a total of 1,465 rushing yards over 8 games. In the passing game, they’ve given up 1,918 yards, ranking them 102nd nationally, with an average of 239.8 passing yards allowed per game at a completion rate of 66.4%. Overall, they are allowing an alarming 422.9 total yards per game, ranking them 126th in Division 1, and have given up 19 touchdown passes and 15 rushing touchdowns.
The Minutemen enter this matchup with a record of 4-4 this season. Their last game ended in a defeat against the Connecticut Huskies, with a score of 35-16. In that game, UMass allowed 46 rushing attempts, yielding 265 yards (5.8 yards per carry). Their pass defense struggled as well, yielding a completion rate of 73.7%, allowing 173 yards on 14 completions out of 19 attempts. The Minutemen could only muster 303 yards of total offense, averaging 4.6 yards per play.
On offense, the UMass Minutemen rank 83rd in Division 1, averaging 26.5 points per game. They combine for an average of 334.6 yards per game, which places them 115th in college football. The UMass offense has been penalized 63 times for a total of 544 yards, ranking them 26th in Division 1 in penalties. They have recorded 3 interceptions and lost 3 fumbles, while achieving 129 first downs. For the season, the Minutemen have thrown for 1,503 yards, averaging 187.9 passing yards per game, putting them 112th in the nation. They also have a ground game averaging 146.8 yards per game, totaling 1,174 yards this season.
The UMass defense has permitted a total of 1,138 rushing yards (142.3 yards per game) and 8 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered 11 touchdown passes along with an average of 181.9 passing yards allowed per contest, ranking them 29th nationally. This season, they’ve allowed 169 points, recovered 6 fumbles, and made 7 interceptions. The Minutemen defense has been on the gridiron for 536 plays, ranking 78th in Division 1. They allow an average of 21.1 points per game, putting them 42nd in Division 1.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s Cardinals vs. Minutemen matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on the Cardinals +3.5
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