- Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
- TV: BTN
- Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-36.5)
- Total/Over-Under: 51.5
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This thrilling matchup at Ryan Field pits the Northwestern Wildcats (3-1) against the Ball State Cardinals (1-4) on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The Cardinals enter this contest as 36.5-point underdogs, with the total set at 51.5.
The Ball State Cardinals arrive at this game with a challenging record of 1-4. In their previous outing, they faced off against the Toledo Rockets, suffering a defeat with a score of 39-24. The Cardinals executed 27 rushing attempts, accumulating 132 yards at an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Overall, they ran 62 plays for a total of 370 yards. Defensively, Ball State allowed 19 completions on 35 attempts totaling 201 yards, achieving a completion percentage of 54.3%. As for the rush defense, the Cardinals permitted opponents to gain 352 yards on 51 attempts, averaging 6.9 yards per rush.
In terms of offensive production, the Ball State Cardinals average 19.2 points per game. They rank 115th nationally in rushing, with an average of 121.0 yards per game. Throughout the season, they have amassed a total of 1,476 yards, including 6 touchdowns through the air and another 6 on the ground. The Cardinals have recorded 83 first downs but have also committed 36 penalties, costing them 316 yards, along with 5 turnovers.
Defensively, the Cardinals are struggling, ranked 132nd in Division I, allowing an average of 37.8 points per game. They concede 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and 229.8 rushing yards per game. So far this season, they have permitted a staggering 1,149 rushing yards over 5 games. In the passing department, Ball State has allowed 1,219 yards, ranking 112th nationally, with an average of 243.8 yards allowed per game and a completion percentage against of 66.2%. Overall, they surrender 473.6 yards per game, placing them 135th in the nation, while yielding 12 touchdowns through the air and 12 on the ground.
The Northwestern Wildcats enter the game with a strong record of 3-1 this season. They recently triumphed over the Penn State Nittany Lions with a score of 34-13. In that game, the Wildcats racked up a total of 506 yards on 69 plays, averaging 7.3 yards per play. They excelled in rushing, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt with a total of 413 yards from 55 carries. Defensively, Northwestern allowed only 48 yards on 22 rush attempts (2.2 yards per carry) and their secondary permitted a completion percentage of 63.4%, conceding 243 yards on 26 of 41 attempts.
The Northwestern offense averages an impressive 437.8 yards per game, ranking 44th in Division I. They’ve accumulated 256 penalty yards from 33 infractions, which places them 54th nationwide in this category. Their ground game averages 212.8 yards, totaling 851 rushing yards this season. They have not thrown any interceptions but have committed 2 fumbles, generating 86 first downs. Currently, the Wildcats sit at 59th in Division I, averaging 33.0 points per game. They have accumulated 900 passing yards, averaging 225.0 yards per game, ranking them 78th in the division.
Defensively, the Wildcats have allowed a total of 646 rushing yards this season, averaging 161.5 yards per game. They have surrendered 4 rushing touchdowns and 3 touchdowns through the air, yielding 224.3 yards per game, ranking them 89th nationally. In total, they have allowed 67 points throughout the season, with their defense securing 2 fumbles and 5 interceptions. Having played 282 defensive snaps, they rank 32nd in Division I, allowing an average of 16.8 points per game, positioning them at 30th within college football.
Who will take the victory in this exciting Cardinals/Wildcats college football matchup against the spread?
Pick: Choose the Cardinals +36.5
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