Ball State Cardinals vs NIU Huskies Prediction, 10/25/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs NIU Huskies

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025

Location: Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Huskies (-5.5)

Total/Over-Under: 41

The Ball State Cardinals (3-4) are hitting the road to Huskie Stadium on Saturday, October 25, 2025 where they will attempt to defeat the NIU Huskies (1-6). NIU opens this game as 5.5-point favorites. The over/under is 41.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this matchup with a record of 3-4 this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Cardinals went up against the Akron Zips and earned the victory with a final of 42-28. The Ball State Cardinals ran the football 45 times and amassed 216 yards, which came out to an average of 4.8 yds per attempt. In all, they had 65 plays for 374 yds. Ball State surrendered 22 completions on 40 tries for 291 yds, and a completion percentage of 55.0%. Against the rush, the Cardinals gave up 128 yds on 35 attempts, which is an average of 3.7 yds per run allowed.

Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Ball State Cardinals are averaging 17.7 points per game. As a unit they are averaging 143.6 yards via the ground game which has them sitting 84th in the country. The Cardinals have racked up 1,907 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Ball State has earned 6 touchdowns via the pass and 9 touchdowns via the ground. Ball State has earned 101 1st downs, and they have committed 32 infractions for 259 yards. They have turned the football over 8 different times.

Regarding yards through the air, the Cardinals are giving up 1,772 yards which puts them in 113th in the country. They have surrendered 253.1 yards per game through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 65.2%. In total, they have yielded 422.1 yards per contest which has them ranked 119th in D-1. They have yielded 14 touchdowns by air in addition to 13 touchdowns pounding the rock. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt and 169.0 yards on the ground per game for the season. Overall, they have given up 1,183 rushing yards through 7 outings. The Cardinals rank 116th in Division 1 concerning the opposition scoring, conceding 31.0 points per contest.

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The Huskies head into this game 1-6 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Huskies walked away with a loss by a score of 48-21 when they faced the Ohio Bobcats. NIU relinquished 52 run attempts for 333 yards (6.4 yards per rush). The Huskies passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 73.9%, surrendering 205 yds on 17 for 23 passing. The Huskies finished the game with a total of 293 yds while they ran 56 plays (5.2 yards per play). NIU ran for 5.1 yds per carry, finishing with 132 yds on 26 attempts.

Regarding how much they score, the Huskies rank 135th in the nation by scoring 12.3 PPG. The NIU Huskies have an average of 262.7 yards/contest, which ranks them 135th in the nation. The NIU offense has 275 yds of penalties on 33 infractions, which is good for 113th in Division 1 in terms of making mistakes. They have given away 5 picks while losing 2 fumbles and they have been able to tally 95 first downs. During this campaign so far, the Huskies have compiled 760 passing yards together with holding an average of 108.6 passing yards per contest, which has them sitting 134th in the country. They hold an average of 154.1 yards per game via the rush and have run for 1,079 yards for the season.

NIU has yielded a total of 1,270 yards on the ground (181.4 yards per outing) as well as 11 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. They have allowed 6 touchdowns via the pass as well as 172.3 yards/contest, which has them ranked 22nd in the country. This year, they have conceded 170 points. Their defense has compiled 1 fumble recovered and 5 picks so far this season. The Huskies defense has participated in 475 plays, which ranks 88th in D-1. The Huskies are conceding 24.3 points per game, which has them sitting 69th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals +5.5

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