Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos Prediction, 10/11/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Location: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Broncos (-9.5)

Total/Over-Under: 43.5

The Ball State Cardinals (2-3) are en route to Waldo Stadium on Saturday, October 11, 2025 where they will attempt to defeat the Western Michigan Broncos (3-3). Western Michigan opens this matchup as 9.5-point favorites. The total comes in at 43.5.

The Ball State Cardinals head into this matchup 2-3 for this season. In their last matchup, the Cardinals played the Ohio Bobcats and earned the victory with a final of 20-14. In the game, they ran 75 plays which totaled 357 yards. The Ball State Cardinals ended up running the ball 42 times and accrued 172 yards, which came out to an average of 4.1 yards per tote. Against the run, the Cardinals gave up 168 yds on 37 tries, which is 4.5 yds per run surrendered. Ball State surrendered 16 pass completions on 29 tries for 188 yds, and a completion rate of 55.2%.

The Cardinals have tallied 1,445 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Ball State has compiled 5 passing touchdowns and 5 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the football over 4 times. Ball State has tallied 79 first downs as a team, and they have been flagged for 22 penalties for 178 yards. Offensively they average 153.8 yards rushing ranking them 73rd in D-1. Regarding scoring points, the Ball State Cardinals are averaging 16.4 points per contest.

When it comes to passing yardage, the Cardinals have given up 1,239 yards which puts them in 89th in Division 1. They have conceded 247.8 yards per game via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 64.5%. In total, they are conceding 415.0 yards per game which puts them 116th in Division 1. They have relinquished 8 touchdowns through the air and 10 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing an average of 4.9 yards per run and 167.2 rushing yards per contest on the year. Overall, they have allowed 836 yards via the ground game in 5 contests. The Cardinals rank 104th in Division 1 regarding team defense, allowing 29.4 points per game.

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The Broncos come into this game with a record of 3-3 this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Broncos went home victorious with a score of 21-3 when they played the UMass Minutemen. Western Michigan ran the ball for 5.2 yds per attempt, finishing with 217 yards on 42 attempts. The Broncos finished the game with a total of 380 yards while running 67 plays (5.7 yds per play). The Broncos secondary conceded a completion percentage of 57.1%, relinquishing 203 yds on 20 for 35 through the air. Western Michigan surrendered 29 rushing attempts for 57 yards (2.0 yds per carry).

In relation to the points being put on the board, the Broncos are sitting 116th in college football averaging 19.7 points per game. The Western Michigan Broncos have an average of 294.5 yards per contest, which ranks them 129th in college football. The Western Michigan offense has accrued 255 penalty yards on 30 violations, which is good for 84th in D-1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They have given away 3 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 5 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 105 first downs. During the season to this point, the Broncos have thrown for a total of 886 yards through the air as well as an average of 147.7 throwing yards per contest, which is ranked 126th in the country. They are averaging 146.8 run yards per game and have rushed for 881 yards for this season.

Western Michigan has given up a total of 768 yards on the ground (128.0 yards per game) and 9 touchdowns via the rush this year. They have conceded 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 187.2 yards per outing, which has them sitting 42nd in the nation. This season, they have given up 124 points. Their defense has compiled 4 fumbles and 5 interceptions on the season. The Broncos defense has taken part in 381 plays, which is 111th in the nation. The Broncos are surrendering 20.7 PPG, which puts them 45th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Broncos -9.5

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