Ball State vs. Auburn Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 6, 2025
The Auburn Tigers (1-0) are fresh off of a solid road victory over Baylor in week one, and they’ll look to tune things up on Saturday when they host the MAC’s Ball State Cardinals (0-1). We’ve got you covered with our Ball State vs. Auburn prediction. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 ET from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Cardinals Blanked 31-0 in Week 1
Coach Mike Uremovich is in his debut season as the head coach of the Ball State Cardinals, but things didn’t get started on the right foot last weekend. Ball State got hammered 31-0 on the road against Purdue and failed to cover as 16.5-point underdogs. The offense was completely shut down, only gaining 203 total yards and 87 yards through the air. The Cardinals didn’t turn the ball over, which is a silver lining.
In terms of personnel, Kiael Kelly will lead the offense under center this season. As I mentioned above, he only logged 87 passing yards in the week one loss. Kelly was the leading rusher, registering 63 yards on the ground. RB Qua Ashley went for 45 yards on 10 totes. Out wide, Kelly will be distributing the ball to WRs Ty Robinson (9 yards) and Eric Weatherly (8 yards).
- Following week one, Ball State is priced at +12000 to win the MAC title.
- The Cardinals finished last season ranked 90th in scoring (23.8 PPG), while coming in at 102nd in yards per game (339.9).
- Defensively, they were 131st in points given up per game (40.6) and 126th in yards conceded per contest (468.6).
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Tigers Handle Bears 38-24
A lot of preseason predictions had the Auburn Tigers earmarked as a darkhorse team to make a run for the College Football Playoff. Well, Coach Hugh Freeze and his Tigers got the season started with a big-time win, going into Waco and smashing Baylor 38-24. Auburn dominated the line of scrimmage, amassing 307 rushing yards. They went 5-10 on third-down conversions and 1-1 on fourth downs.
Oklahoma transfer QB Jackson Arnold didn’t need to use his arm too much last Friday night in Waco, but he did log 108 yards through the air. He was the team’s leading rusher, racking up 137 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Damari Alston is set to be the lead running back, and he went for 84 yards and a touchdown in week one. Out wide, WRs Cam Coleman (23 yards) and Eric Singleton Jr. (20 yards) will have an impact this year.
- Auburn’s win total currently sits at 8.5 (-105/-115), and the program is priced at +2500 to win the conference title.
- Touching on last year’s metrics, the Tigers were 93rd in points per game (23.6) and 38th in yards per week (411.4).
- They were 35th in defensive scoring (23.0 PAPG) and 30th in yards conceded per game (339.0).
Ball State vs. Auburn picks
Spread Pick for Ball State vs. Auburn
- Auburn Tigers -42.5 (-110) (5 units)
I’m surprised that Auburn wasn’t ranked heading into week two, as they’ve proven to be feisty with a respectable Power Four road victory over Baylor (38-24) in week one. As for this game against Ball State, I think we’re going to see Auburn roll and cover this massive spread.
Auburn is going to eat Ball State alive in the trenches. PFF has Auburn’s offensive line ranked seventh this season, and we just saw the Tigers amass 307 rushing yards last weekend against the Baylor Bears. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were blanked 31-0 by Purdue, where they threw for less than 100 passing yards. This is a massive spread and it’s going to be tight, but the Tigers should run for another 250+ yards and hopefully stretch this lead out to around 45-0 or 49-3.
Over/Under Pick for Ball State vs. Auburn
- Under 52.5 (-105) (5 units)
One of the outcomes that I could see in this game is 49-3, which would just barely keep us under this total of 52.5 points. But, the main point that I want to make is that I don’t see Ball State moving the ball very well in this game.
When faced with a huge deficit against Purdue last weekend, Ball State still only threw for 87 total yards. They lost 31-0, and I think there’s a realistic chance that the Cardinals go scoreless through two straight weeks. Also, it’s worth mentioning that the Cardinals didn’t turn the ball over on the road. If they don’t turn the ball over and make Auburn drive the length of the field, there’s a better chance to chew up clock and stay under the total. Give me the under.
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