Ball State Cardinals vs UMass Minutemen Prediction, 11/4/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs UMass Minutemen

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Location: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, MA

TV: ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: Minutemen (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium is where the UMass Minutemen (4-4) will take on the Ball State Cardinals (3-5) on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. UMass opens this game as 3.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 48.5.

The Ball State Cardinals come into this game with a record of 3-5 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Cardinals played against the Sacramento State Hornets and took home the win by a score of 34-17. When the final whistle blew, they ran 70 plays which gave them a total of 417 yds. The Ball State Cardinals ran the rock 43 times and compiled 183 yds, which is an average of 4.3 yds per carry. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Cardinals gave up 54 yards on 27 tries, which is an average of 2.0 yds per rush surrendered. Ball State relinquished 19 completions on 31 tries for a total of 212 yds, and a completion percentage of 61.3%.

The Cardinals currently have 2,700 total yards for the season. When it comes to scoring, Ball State has compiled 10 passing touchdowns and 13 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the football over 9 different times. Ball State has accumulated 153 first downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 64 penalties for 565 yds. Offensively they're averaging 141.3 yards on the ground which ranks them 90th in Division 1. When it comes to getting in the endzone, the Ball State Cardinals have an average of 22.0 points per contest.

The Cardinals are ranked 131st in the nation when it comes to team defense, allowing 35.3 PPG. The opposition is running for 5.1 yards per rush and 183.1 rushing yards per game on the year. Over the course of this year, they have conceded 1,465 rushing yards through 8 games. In terms of yards via the pass, the Cardinals have given up 1,918 yds which puts them in 102nd in the country. They have allowed 239.8 yards per game via the pass in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 66.4%. Over the course of this season, they have surrendered 422.9 yards/game ranking them 126th in Division 1. They have yielded 19 touchdowns by air as well as 15 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Minutemen come into this game with a record of 4-4 for this season. When they last played, the Minutemen went home defeated by a final of 35-16 when they faced the Connecticut Huskies. UMass surrendered 46 running attempts for 265 yds (5.8 yds per carry). The Minutemen pass defense gave up a completion rate of 73.7%, surrendering 173 yards on 14 for 19 passing. The Minutemen finished the game with a total of 303 yds and they ran 66 plays (4.6 yards per play). UMass ran for 2.4 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 53 yds on 22 attempts.

Regarding putting points on the board, the Minutemen currently rank 83rd in D-1 averaging 26.5 points per outing. The UMass Minutemen hold an average of 334.6 yards per outing, which is good for 115th in college football. The UMass offense has totaled 544 yards of penalties on 63 violations, which ranks 26th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They have thrown 3 interceptions while losing 3 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 129 1st downs. For the season to this point, the Minutemen currently sit at 1,503 yards through the air along with holding an average of 187.9 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 112th in the nation. They have an average of 146.8 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 1,174 yards for the year.

UMass has allowed a total of 1,138 yards rushing (142.3 yards/game) as well as 8 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have surrendered 11 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 181.9 yards/outing, which has them in 29th in the country. This year, they have given up 169 pts. They have earned 6 fumbles recovered and 7 interceptions over the course of the season. The Minutemen defense has been on the field for 536 plays, which ranks 78th in Division 1. The Minutemen are conceding 21.1 points per contest, ranking them 42nd in Division 1.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals +3.5

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