Ball State Cardinals vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, 8/30/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Purdue Boilermakers

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Boilermakers (-18.5)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

The Ball State Cardinals (3-9 last season) are headed to Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, August 30, 2025 where they will try to defeat the Purdue Boilermakers (1-11 last year). Purdue opens as 8.5-point underdogs from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 50.5.

The Ball State Cardinals finished the year having earned a 3-9 mark. In their last game, the Cardinals stepped onto the field against the Ohio Bobcats and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 42-21. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 73 plays which gave them 375 yds. The Ball State Cardinals ended up running the ball 26 different times and totaled 42 yards, earning them an average of 1.6 yds per carry. On the ground, the Cardinals gave up 270 yds on 41 tries, which is 6.6 yards per rush surrendered. Ball State allowed 9 pass completions on 15 attempts for a total of 205 yds, and a completion percentage of 60.0%.

Regarding putting points on the board, the Ball State Cardinals held an average of 25.3 PPG. As a unit they maintained an average of 102.8 yards in the run game, ranking them 121st in the nation. The Cardinals earned 4,174 total yards last season. Ball State earned 26 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns. Ball State tallied 244 1st downs, and they were called for 59 penalties for 544 yards. They gave the ball to the opposition 14 different times.

The Cardinals sat in 132nd in college football when it comes to team defense, allowing 40.1 PPG. They gave up 5.2 yards per run and 175.3 rushing yards per game last season. In total, they gave up 2,104 yards on the ground in 12 games. When talking about yards through the air, the Cardinals gave up 3,355 yds which had them ranked 122nd in Division 1. During their 12 games played, they conceded 279.6 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 62.0%. They gave up 454.9 yards per outing which had them ranked 125th in the country. They gave up 37 touchdowns through the air in addition to 24 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Boilermakers wrapped up their season with a 1-11 record. When they last stepped on the field, the Boilermakers took a defeat with a final score of 66-0 when they faced the Indiana Hoosiers. Purdue relinquished 44 run attempts for 233 yds (5.3 yards per rush). The Boilermakers secondary allowed a completion rate of 74.2%, relinquishing 349 yards on 23 out of 31 passing. The Boilermakers ended up finishing with 67 yards while running 45 plays (1.5 yds per play). Purdue ran for 0.5 yds per attempt, totaling 13 yards on 24 attempts.

In relation to their scoring prowess, the Boilermakers were 130th in the country holding an average of 15.8 points per contest. The Purdue Boilermakers held an average of 299.3 yards per contest, which ranked them 127th in the nation. The Purdue offense compiled 622 yards of penalties on 66 violations, which was 103rd in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. They tossed 10 picks while conceding 10 fumbles and they obtained 175 first downs. Last year, the Boilermakers racked up 2,207 passing yards as well as averaging 183.9 passing yards per game, which had them ranked 113th in the nation. They maintained an average of 115.3 yards via the ground game and toted the ball for 1,384 yards for the year.

Purdue gave up a total of 2,400 yards rushing (200.0 yards per outing) and 34 touchdowns rushing last year. They conceded 28 touchdowns through the air in addition to 252.7 yards per game, which put them in 117th in D-1. Their defense totaled 1 fumbles and 4 picks last season. The Boilermakers defense was on the field for 803 plays, which was good for 35th in the nation. The Boilermakers conceded 39.9 PPG, ranking them 131st in Division 1. Over the course of the season, they allowed 479 total points.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals +18.5

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