Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code SSWC We have some MACtion in Week 8 of the college football season as the Akron Zips will be heading to Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana, on Saturday afternoon to face off against the Ball State Cardinals in our Zips vs Cardinals prediction. The game will be airing on ESPN+, so this game is going to be able to be seen by the entire country. The Zips (2-5, 1-2 MAC) are coming off a 20-7 home loss against the Miami RedHawks on Saturday. The Cardinals (2-4, 1-1) lost on Saturday on the road against the Western Michigan Broncos 42-0. College gridiron clarity — NCAAF picks for Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals with key matchups.
Zips Looking to Turn the Tide
The Akron Zips have gotten off to a slow start to the season as they are 2-5 (1-2 MAC) heading into this game and need to improve quickly. Akron’s offense has been struggling as they are averaging just 16.7 points per game, ranking 129th in the nation, totaling 313.3 yards per game (119th), and they are 124th in yards per game at 4.7. Quarterback Ben Finley has been holding his own this season as he has completed 94-of-185 (50.8%) of his passes for 1,157 yards with eight passing touchdowns to four interceptions. He threw for 211 yards with a TD and a pick against Miami (OH) in their last game. Running back Jordan Gant has been a force in the running game as he has posted 97 rushes for 511 yards (5.3 yards per carry) with three rushing touchdowns while adding five catches for 29 yards (5.8 yards per reception) with a receiving touchdown.
The defense for Akron has been unable to keep points off the board as they are tied for 101st in college football as they are giving up 29.0 points per game. The Red Wolves have been able to apply pressure on this side of the field as they have 13 sacks, 15 pass deflections, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Injury Report for Akron
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- Running back Marquese Williams: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Tight end Jake Newell: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Alex Adams: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Luke Sivon: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Paul Davis: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Long snapper Frank Miner: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Safety Daymon David: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive lineman Javirea Moore: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Elijah Davis: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Iesa Jarmon: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive lineman Dayne Shor: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Kicker Adam Samaha: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Catrell White: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Running back Chris Gee: Undisclosed (Questionable)
Cardinals Looking to Spread Their Wings
The Ball State Cardinals need to figure out how to get back on the winning track. They lost on the road against the Western Michigan Broncos last time out after winning two of three games and covering in four straight. They are the third-worst in the sport, with only 13.7 points per game scored. Quarterback Kiael Kelly has been holding his own so far as he has completed 76-of-126 (60.3%) of his passes for 725 yards with four passing touchdowns and two interceptions as well as 95 carries for 273 yards (2.9 yards per attempt) with two rushing touchdowns. However, in their last game against Western Michigan, he threw for just 68 yards and the Cards amassed a putrid 88 total yards. Running back Qua Ashley has been a force on the ground as well as he has 70 rushing attempts for 333 yards (4.8 yards per carry) with three rushing touchdowns as well as 15 catches for 78 yards (5.2 yards per reception) with a receiving touchdown.
The defense for the Jaguars has been playing at a poor level as they are giving up 31.7 points per game, which is tied for 120th in college football as well. They also rank 119th in yards allowed per game (422.3) and 118th in yards allowed per play (6.2). Their defense needs to make the opposing offense feel more pressure as they have 15 sacks, 20 pass deflections, one interception, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Injury Report for Ball State
- Wide receiver Dertion Talbert: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Bradyn Fleharty: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Nick Presley: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive tackle Khristian Zachary: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive tackle Hunter Sanderson: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive lineman Cody Smith: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Deondre Shepherd: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Linebacker DeJuan Echoles Jr: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive back Micah Lillard: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Kicker Brody Boehm: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive lineman Kaden Mayle: Undisclosed (Questionable)
Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals Pick
Spread Pick for Akron vs. Ball State
- Ball State Cardinals -110 (5 units)
Akron has not been able to be a consistent enough offense to trust in them, as they have scored seven or fewer points in two of their three conference games this season. The Zips are banged up, where they could have some key players out, but as of right now, they are questionable for Saturday’s game. Ball State should be able to exploit a terrible rush defense and a bad defense overall. Ball State also plays better at home, where they beat Ohio as an underdog and New Hampshire. It's a small sample size, but at home, the Cardinals average 240 rushing yards per game and Akron allows 189 rushing yards per game on the road.
Over/Under Pick for Akron vs. Ball State
- Under 42.5 (4 units)
These teams are going to struggle to move the football as neither offense has been too well throughout the first half of the regular season. Yards per play is a good measurement to tell how well an offense is doing and neither team has been doing too hot in that department as the Cardinals are 132nd of 136 teams with 4.5 yards per play, while the Zips are 124th with 4.7 yards per play. Neither quarterback has really been able to get much going in the passing game and they mustered a combined seven points last week, albeit against two of the two teams in the MAC. The under hit in their previous three head-to-head meetings, so they are used to not putting up a massive total against one another, so go with under 42.5 total points.
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