Ball State Cardinals vs. UConn Huskies Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 20, 2025
In our Cardinals vs. Huskies prediction, the Ball State Cardinals (1-2) have gotten off to a slow start, but they are coming off a 34-29 home win over the New Hampshire Wildcats on Saturday. Senior quarterback Kiael Kelly had a good game as he completed 9-of-15 passes for 105 yards with two passing touchdowns to one interception as well as 13 rushing attempts for 101 yards (7.8 yards per rush) with a rushing touchdown.
The UConn Huskies (1-2) are also struggling as they are on a two-game losing streak after Saturday’s 44-41 overtime road loss to the Delaware Blue Hens. Senior quarterback Joe Fagnano had a solid showing under center as 28-of-38 passes for 346 yards with a pair of touchdown passes.
Before kickoff: NCAAF predictions for Ball State Cardinals at UConn Huskies in one clean snapshot.
Cardinals Looking to Get Back to .500
The Ball State Cardinals were able to hold onto a 34-29 win at home against the FCS New Hampshire Wildcats last week. Ball State scored 28 points by halftime and the defense stepped up to maintain the lead and gave coach Mike Uremovich his first win with the program. The offense was able to move the football as they scored 34 points on 413 total yards (105 passing, 308 rushing). Running back Qua Ashley ran 12 times for a career-high 154 yards (12.8 yards per carry) with two rushing touchdowns as well as a pair of catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. However, the team did turn the ball over twice (one interception, one fumble).
The defense did its job at keeping the offense in front as they allowed New Hampshire to record 29 points on 391 total yards (259 passing, 132 rushing). New Hampshire had the ball for 38:05, meaning the defense was getting exhausted on the field. The Wildcats were able to go 8-for-18 on third downs and 1-of-2 on fourth down.
Ball State’s offense has been terrible thus far as they are 130th in the nation with 12.3 points per game. Their defense is struggling as well, allowing 34.0 points per game, which is tied for 118th in the country.
Injury Report for Ball State
- Wide receiver Derion Talbert: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Kaden Mayle: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Bradyn Fleharty: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Hunter Sanderson: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Quarterback Bodie Derrer: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Punter Brody Boehm: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Micah Lillard: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Offensive guard Cody Smith: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Ben Marsh: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Nick Presley: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Michael Gravely Jr: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Gabe Aramboles: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Cornerback Deondre Shepherd: Undisclosed (Questionable)
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Huskies Looking to Bounce Back
The UConn Huskies are looking to recover from a difficult 44-41 overtime road loss last week against the Delaware Blue Hens. UConn’s offense was not the problem as they scored 41 points on 521 total yards of offense (346 passing, 175 rushing). Quarterback Joe Fagnano had an excellent game and so did running back Cam Edwards, who had 23 rushes for 116 yards and two rushing touchdowns on the day. They are 0-2 after starting the season off with a 27-20 loss at Syracuse on Sept. 6.
The defense looked shaky as they allowed Delaware to score 44 points on 512 total yards of offense (265 passing, 247 rushing). Delaware was able to keep the offense on the field as they were 3-for-3 on fourth downs and ran the ball for 5.5 yards per attempt.
The UConn Huskies have been able to score points consistently, as they are tied for 35th in college football with 40.0 points per game. Their defense has room to improve as they are 101st with 28.0 points per game given up.
Injury Report for UConn
- Cornerback Malachi McLean: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Trent Jones II: Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Running back RJ Brown: Collarbone (OUT)
Ball State vs. UConn Pick
Spread Pick for Ball State Cardinals vs UConn Huskies
- Ball State Cardinals +20.5 (4 units)
This is just way too many points for a UConn team that went to overtime in back-to-back weeks against Syracuse and Delaware. Ball State has a good offensive team and should be able to run the ball and chew some clock. UConn’s defense has been struggling and that will allow Ball State to stay in the game. Quarterback Kiael Kelly needs to figure out how to get more involved, as he has been way too quiet this season in the passing game. All in all, go with the Ball State Cardinals to cover the massive spread as an underdog here.
Over/Under Pick for Ball State at UConn
- OVER 53.5 (4 units)
These teams were able to score last week and some of that momentum should help them step up. The weather scheduled for kickoff is sunny, meaning no precipitation to make the game more gritty. The defenses are struggling as in the last two games as both defenses are allowing 35.5 points per game. With these offenses able to run the ball effectively with the running backs being a focal point of last week’s wins, go with OVER 53.5 POINTS to be scored.
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