Ball State Cardinals vs Liberty Flames Prediction, 9/19/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Liberty Flames

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Williams Stadium (VA) in Lynchburg, VA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (-14.5)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

The Liberty Flames (1-1) will take on the Ball State Cardinals (1-1) at Williams Stadium (VA) on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Liberty opens this game as 14.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under comes in at 48.5.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this game with a record of 1-1 this year. In their last game, the Cardinals went up against the Stony Brook Seawolves and earned the victory with a final of 41-17. On the ground, the Cardinals gave up 183 yds on 28 tries, which is an average of 6.5 yards per rush surrendered. Ball State conceded 22 pass completions on 36 tries for 147 yards, and a completion percentage of 61.1%. In all, they ran 68 plays which converted into 482 yards. The Ball State Cardinals rushed the ball a total of 36 different times and accumulated 226 yds, which earned them an average of 6.3 yards per carry.

The Cardinals have earned 647 total yards for the season. In terms of getting in the endzone, Ball State has totaled 3 touchdowns via the pass and 2 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 2 different times. Ball State has accrued 36 1st downs offensively, and they have been called for 14 penalties for 114 yds. As a team they have an average of 135.5 yards in the run game which has them sitting 99th in college football. When talking about scoring, the Ball State Cardinals have an average of 22.0 points per contest.

Regarding yards through the air, the Cardinals have given up 581 yards which ranks them 124th in the country. They have relinquished 290.5 yards per contest via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 72.6%. Overall, they are conceding 500.5 yards per outing which ranks them 134th in D-1. They have yielded 5 touchdowns via the pass as well as 5 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are giving up 6.7 yards per tote and 210.0 rushing yards per contest for the year. During the season, they have given up 420 yards on the ground through 2 games. The Cardinals rank 130th in the nation regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 36.5 points per game.

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The Flames come into this game with a record of 1-1 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Flames took home the win by a final score of 24-23 against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. Liberty ran the ball for 4.3 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 193 yds on 45 attempts. The Flames finished with a total of 379 yds while running 66 plays (5.7 yards per play). The Flames passing defense conceded a completion percentage of 42.1%, relinquishing 186 yds on 16 out of 38 through the air. Liberty relinquished 33 rush attempts for 118 yds (3.6 yds per rush).

When looking at their ability to score points, the Flames are ranking 121st in college football with 18.5 points per outing. The Liberty Flames have an average of 350.0 yards per outing, which is good for 103rd in the nation. The Liberty offense has accrued 178 yards of penalties on 23 infractions, which ranks them 2nd in D-1 in terms of helping out the other team. They have tossed no interceptions while losing 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 37 1st downs. For the season so far, the Flames have thrown for 416 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 208.0 throwing yards per outing, which has them ranked 89th in Division 1. They are averaging 142.0 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 284 yards for the season.

Liberty has given up a total of 291 yards via the ground game (145.5 yards per contest) and 2 touchdowns rushing this season. They have surrendered 1 touchdown through the air as well as 152.0 yards per contest, which has them sitting 34th in college football. Their defense has earned 1 fumble recovery and 2 interceptions on the year. The Flames defense has taken part in 120 plays, which ranks 47th in the country. The Flames are surrendering 21.5 PPG, which has them ranked 75th in college football.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Flames -14.5

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