Akron Zips vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 10/18/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Akron Zips vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (-1.0)

Total/Over-Under: 43

Scheumann Stadium is the site where the Ball State Cardinals (2-4) will compete against the Akron Zips (2-5) on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Ball State opens as 1.0-point favorites from oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 43.

The Akron Zips head into this game 2-5 this season. In their last game, the Zips faced the Miami RedHawks and took a loss by a score of 20-7. Against the run, the Zips gave up 147 yards on 41 tries, which averages out to 3.6 yds per rush allowed. Akron surrendered 14 completions on 26 attempts for 203 yds, and a completion rate of 53.8%. For the game, they tallied 64 plays for 273 yds. The Akron Zips ran the football 25 different times and totaled 62 yds, which earned them an average of 2.5 yds per attempt.

The Zips have tallied 2,182 total yards for the season. When it comes to scoring, Akron has earned 9 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered the ball 6 times. Akron has 121 first downs as a team, and they have committed 38 penalties for 283 yards. As a team they have an average of 129.3 yards rushing ranking them 99th in college football. In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the Akron Zips hold an average of 16.7 PPG.

When talking about yards via the pass, the Zips are allowing 1,779 yds which ranks them 130th in the nation. They are allowing 254.1 yards per contest via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 62.7%. For the season, they have allowed 438.1 yards per contest putting them at 124th in the nation. They have conceded 11 touchdowns through the air in addition to 13 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing an average of 4.9 yards per tote and 184.0 rushing yards per game on the year. For the season, they have allowed 1,288 rushing yards through 7 games. The Zips sit in 101st in D-1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 29.0 PPG.

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The Cardinals step onto the field holding a record of 2-4 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Cardinals went home defeated by a final of 42-0 when they played the Western Michigan Broncos. Ball State allowed 44 run attempts for 219 yards (5.0 yards per rush). The Cardinals passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 82.8%, relinquishing 242 yds on 24 out of 29 through the air. The Cardinals finished the game with 88 yards and they ran 50 plays (1.8 yds per play). Ball State ran the football for 0.7 yds per attempt, totaling 20 yards on 27 attempts.

When looking at how much they score, the Cardinals are 134th in college football averaging 13.7 points per outing. The Ball State Cardinals have an average of 255.5 yards per contest, which ranks them 135th in the nation. The Ball State offense has racked up 209 penalty yds on 26 infractions, which ranks 124th in D-1 in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 2 picks while allowing opponents to recover 4 fumbles and they have been able to record 84 first downs. For the year to this point, the Cardinals have a total of 744 yards through the air as well as an average of 124.0 throwing yards per game, which has them ranked 133rd in the country. They average 131.5 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 789 yards for this year.

Ball State has given up a total of 1,055 yards on the ground (175.8 yards per contest) and 13 touchdowns rushing this year. They have conceded 11 touchdowns via the pass and 246.8 yards/outing, which has them in 109th in Division 1. This year, they have given up 189 points. They have earned 2 fumbles recovered and 1 interception on the campaign. The Cardinals defense has been on the field for 411 plays, which ranks them 85th in D-1. The Cardinals are giving up 31.5 PPG, which has them ranked 118th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's Zips/Cardinals college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals -1.0

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