Ball State Cardinals vs Kent State Golden Flashes Prediction, 9/26/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Kent State Golden Flashes

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Location: Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium in Kent, OH

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Flashes (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 49

The Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2) welcome the Ball State Cardinals (1-2) at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Ball State is 3.5-point underdogs. The over/under has been set at 49.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this matchup with a record of 1-2 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Cardinals played the Liberty Flames and went home with a loss by a final score of 51-15. The Ball State Cardinals ended up running the ball 35 times and accrued 156 yards, earning them an average of 4.5 yds per attempt. In the game, they ran 56 plays which totaled 249 yds. Ball State surrendered 16 completions on 24 attempts for 248 yds, and a completion rate of 66.7%. Against the rush, the Cardinals gave up 212 yds on 40 attempts, which is an average of 5.3 yards per run allowed.

The Cardinals have earned 896 total yards for the year. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Ball State has totaled 3 touchdowns through the air and 4 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 3 different times. Ball State has earned 53 first downs, and they have committed 25 infractions for 221 yards. As a team they average 142.3 yards via the ground game which has them sitting 97th in Division 1. Concerning getting in the endzone, the Ball State Cardinals are sitting at 19.7 points per contest.

Regarding yards through the air, the Cardinals have given up 829 yds which has them sitting in 125th in Division 1. They have relinquished 276.3 yards per game via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 71.2%. For the season, they have given up 487.0 yards/outing which puts them 134th in college football. They have yielded 9 touchdowns by air in addition to 8 touchdowns pounding the rock. Opposing teams are running for an average of 6.1 yards per rush and 210.7 rushing yards per contest on the campaign. In total, they have allowed 632 yards on the ground through 3 contests. The Cardinals are ranked 133rd in the country when it comes to team defense, allowing 41.3 points per contest.

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The Golden Flashes step onto the field holding a record of 1-2 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Golden Flashes took a loss by a score of 59-3 against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Golden Flashes finished the contest with a total of 134 yds while running 55 plays (2.4 yds per play). Kent State ran for 2.1 yards per attempt, finishing the contest with 71 yds on 34 carries. Kent State allowed 38 attempts on the ground for 145 yards (3.8 yards per rush). The Golden Flashes pass defense gave up a completion rate of 78.6%, relinquishing 382 yards on 22 out of 28 through the air.

Regarding putting points on the board, the Golden Flashes are 135th in D-1 with 13.0 points per outing. The Kent State Golden Flashes are averaging 255.3 yards/game, which ranks them 137th in D-1. The Kent State offense has racked up 195 penalty yds on 26 infractions, which has them sitting 22nd in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They have given away 4 picks while surrendering 3 fumbles and they have earned 37 1st downs. Over the course of the season to this point, the Golden Flashes currently have a total of 400 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 133.3 passing yards per outing, which is ranked 133rd in D-1. They average 122.0 run yards per game and have toted the ball for 366 yards in total.

Kent State has surrendered a total of 481 yards rushing (160.3 yards/game) as well as 9 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. They have given up 7 touchdowns through the air in addition to 288.0 yards per outing, which has them in 130th in the country. Over the course of the season, they have relinquished 131 points. They have totaled no fumbles recovered and 4 picks so far this year. The Golden Flashes defense has taken part in 191 plays, which ranks 67th in the country. The Golden Flashes are allowing 43.7 points per game, which has them ranked 136th in D-1.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals +3.5

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