- Matchup: Toledo Rockets vs Ball State Cardinals
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Venue: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Point Spread: Cardinals (+19.5)
- Total Points: 51.5
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The Toledo Rockets (3-1) are set to clash with the Ball State Cardinals (1-3) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Scheumann Stadium. The Cardinals enter this contest as 19.5-point underdogs according to betting lines. The over/under for the game is pegged at 51.5 points.
Toledo arrives at this matchup boasting a 3-1 record this season. In their previous outing, they triumphed over the San Diego State Aztecs with a score of 41-16. The Rockets executed 48 rushing attempts, amassing 210 yards at an average of 4.4 yards per carry. By the end of the game, Toledo ran a total of 70 plays, yielding 494 yards. Defensively, they allowed opponents to complete 24 of 37 passes for a total of 248 yards, resulting in a completion rate of 64.9%. In terms of rushing defense, they restricted the Aztecs to 48 yards on 31 attempts, averaging just 1.5 yards per carry.
This season, the Rockets have clocked a total of 1,872 yards. When it comes to scoring, Toledo has successfully found the end zone 13 times through the air and 9 times on the ground, with only 4 turnovers thus far. The team has registered 84 first downs and incurred 28 penalties resulting in 217 yards. In terms of ground performance, they’re averaging 162.5 yards per game, ranking 66th nationally, while their scoring average stands at an impressive 43.3 points per game.
Defensively, Toledo has yielded 725 passing yards this season, ranking them 43rd in the country, with an average of 181.3 passing yards allowed per game and a completion percentage of 59.1%. Overall, their defense permits an average of 314.3 yards per game, placing them 46th in Division 1. Toledo’s defense has surrendered 6 touchdowns through the air and 4 on the ground, allowing opponents to average 3.5 yards per carry and 133.0 rushing yards per game. This year, they have allowed a total of 532 rushing yards in 4 games and rank 98th in college football with 26.0 points allowed per game.
The Ball State Cardinals come into this matchup with a 1-3 record this season. Their last game resulted in a loss against the Kent State Golden Flashes, ending with a score of 26-13. In that matchup, Ball State allowed 43 rushing attempts for 165 yards (3.8 yards per carry). The Cardinals’ pass defense recorded a completion rate of 64.0%, yielding 189 yards on 16 completions out of 25 attempts. Ball State managed a total of 210 yards from 54 plays, averaging 3.9 yards per play, and their ground game struggled, averaging just 1.7 yards per attempt for a total of 46 yards on 27 carries.
The Cardinals average 276.5 total yards per game, placing them 135th in the nation. Their offense has accumulated 281 yards in penalties over 32 infractions, ranking them 30th nationally for aiding their opponents. They average 118.3 rushing yards per game, totaling 473 rushing yards this season. Ball State has thrown 2 interceptions and suffered 1 fumble while securing 65 first downs. In scoring efficiency, they’re struggling at 129th in Division 1, averaging only 18.0 points per game. Their passing game has recorded a total of 633 yards, averaging 158.3 passing yards per game, which is 125th in the country.
On the defensive side, Ball State has conceded 797 rushing yards (199.3 yards per game) this season, along with 9 rushing touchdowns. They have also allowed 11 passing touchdowns and an average of 254.5 passing yards per game, ranking them 118th nationally. Over the course of the season, they’ve surrendered 150 total points, resulting in a PPG average of 37.5, ranking them 135th in Division 1.
Who do you think will cover the spread in this Rockets/Cardinals college football matchup?
Prediction: Take the Cardinals +19.5
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