Ball State Cardinals vs Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction, 9/5/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Location: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Buckeyes (-50.5)

Total/Over-Under: 56.5

The Ball State Cardinals (4-8 last season) are hitting the road to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026 where they will go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2 last year). Ball State is 50.5-point underdogs. The over/under is set at 56.5.

The Ball State Cardinals finished the season having earned a 4-8 record. In their last contest, the Cardinals faced the Miami RedHawks and took a loss by a score of 45-24. In all, they ran 59 plays which converted into 280 yards. The Ball State Cardinals ended up rushing 36 different times and compiled 103 yds, which is an average of 2.9 yards per carry. When it came to stopping the run, the Cardinals conceded 232 yards on 42 tries, which is an average of 5.5 yards per run allowed. Ball State allowed 12 completions on 24 tries for a total of 226 yds, and a completion percentage of 50.0%.

The Cardinals tallied 3,260 total yards for last season. Ball State totaled 12 touchdowns via the pass and 10 touchdowns via the ground. They surrendered the football 16 different times. Ball State amassed 178 1st downs, and they were called for 56 infractions for 466 yds. Offensively they averaged 131.8 yards rushing, which had them sitting 98th in D-1. Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Ball State Cardinals were sitting at 15.8 PPG.

The Cardinals were sitting in 102nd in college football regarding team defense, allowing 29.8 points per game. They allowed teams to run for an average of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt and 178.8 rushing yards per game over the course of last season. Over the course of last year, they gave up 2,146 yards on the ground in 12 games. Concerning yards via the pass, the Cardinals gave up 2,722 yds which ranked them 61st in Division 1. During their 12 games, they conceded 226.8 yards per game through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 62.0%. They granted 405.7 yards per game which put them 104th in D-1. They granted 23 passing touchdowns in addition to 22 running touchdowns.

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The Buckeyes ended the season having earned a 12-2 record. When they last stepped on the field, the Buckeyes walked away with a loss by a score of 24-14 against the Miami Hurricanes. Ohio State ran for 1.9 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 45 yards on 24 attempts. The Buckeyes finished the game with a total of 332 yards and they ran 59 plays (5.6 yards per play). The Buckeyes secondary gave up a completion rate of 73.1%, relinquishing 138 yards on 19 out of 26 passing. Ohio State gave up 37 running attempts for 153 yds (4.1 yds per carry).

When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Buckeyes ranked 21st in the nation holding an average of 33.4 points per game. The Ohio State Buckeyes maintained an average of 422.6 yards/game, which ranked them 26th in Division 1. The Ohio State offense had 545 yards of penalties on 57 infractions, which was 122nd in the nation in terms of making mistakes. They gave away 8 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 3 fumbles and they earned 316 first downs. For the prior season, the Buckeyes compiled 3,755 yards via the pass not to mention averaging 268.2 passing yards per contest, which ranked 23rd in Division 1. They averaged 154.4 yards via the ground game and toted the ball for 2,162 yards for the year.

Ohio State conceded a total of 1,252 yards rushing (89.4 yards per game) as well as 6 touchdowns rushing last season. They conceded 7 touchdowns through the air and 129.7 yards/game, which had them ranked 1st in college football. Last season, they relinquished 130 total points. They totaled 7 fumbles recovered and 8 interceptions for the previous season. The Buckeyes defense took part in 767 plays, which had them ranked 10th in Division 1. The Buckeyes relinquished 9.3 points per contest, which had them ranked 1st in Division 1.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Cardinals +50.5

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