Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Kent State and Ball State meet in Mid-American Conference action Tuesday night at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU. Both teams enter at 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes are coming off a comeback win over Bowling Green, while the Cardinals are looking to rebound after a road loss to Northern Illinois. Find the edge fast with NCAAF picks for Kent State Golden Flashes at Ball State Cardinals.
Kent State Golden Flashes Look To Build Momentum
Kent State snapped a two-game skid with a thrilling 24-21 win over Bowling Green last week, overcoming an 18-point second-half deficit. Quarterback Dru DeShields led the rally, throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown, including a 29-yard strike to Cade Wolford in the third quarter. The Golden Flashes found success on the ground as Gavin Garcia added a 45-yard touchdown run, helping the offense gain 79 yards on a key scoring drive. Kent State finished with 24 points after trailing 21-3 midway through the third quarter.
This season, DeShields has thrown for 1,109 yards with 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Garcia continues to pace the backfield with 321 rushing yards and one score on 88 carries. Wolford has emerged as the top receiving target, recording 395 yards and six touchdowns on 15 receptions. Instead, Kent State has struggled on offense, averaging just 268.1 yards per game to rank 134th. They also rank 131st in rushing yards per game at 87.6.
Linebacker CJ Young leads the team with 58 tackles, and defensive lineman Jamond Mathis has three sacks. The defense has been lousy overall, ranking 129th in total yards per game (465.5ypg) and 129th in rushing yards per game (205ypg).
Injuries: Kent State lists 10 players on its injury report. Linebackers T. Mintz and N. Brown, along with safety T. Tucker, tight end T. Mulder, and offensive guard A. Rivera are all questionable. Quarterback C. Montes, guard C. Wilson, running back A. Jeffery, receiver A. Fisher, and defensive lineman G. Dial are out.
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Ball State Cardinals Seek A Bounce-Back Win At Home
Ball State looks to regain momentum after falling 21-7 at Northern Illinois. The Cardinals struggled to find success on offense, producing just one scoring drive—a second-quarter touchdown pass from Kiael Kelly to Drew Cassens that tied the game 7-7. Kelly completed 10 of 23 passes for 136 yards and added 86 rushing yards on 27 carries, showing his dual-threat ability despite consistent defensive pressure. However, two interceptions and limited red-zone execution cost the Cardinals any chance at a comeback.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +750.00 |
| 2 |  Brick Haus Sports | +391.00 |
| 3 |  David Delano | +182.00 |
| 4 |  The Insiders Room | +100.00 |
| 5 |  Terry Edelmann | +100.00 |
Through eight games, Kelly has thrown for 982 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions, while leading the ground attack with nearly 100 rushing yards per game in recent outings. Running back Qua Ashley complements him with 513 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries, giving Ball State a solid option between the tackles. Receiver Qian Magwood has been the top target, totaling 238 yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions. On offense, the Cardinals are averaging 272.8 yards per game (133rd) and just 129.8 passing yards per game (133rd).
Defensively, the Cardinals have allowed 21 points or fewer in two of the last three contests. But overall, they are allowing 415.6 yards per game (108th), 230 passing yards per game, and 18 rushing yards (118th). Defensive end Nathan Voorhis leads the team with 10 sacks, creating pressure that has kept Ball State competitive in low-scoring games. Linebacker Alfred Chea has 45 tackles, anchoring a unit that’s shown toughness despite extended time on the field due to offensive struggles. The defense has limited opponents overall but has been stretched thin against strong rushing attacks.
Injuries: Ball State reports an extensive list of 15 players dealing with injuries. Offensive lineman C. Smith, receiver B. Fleharty, cornerbacks M. Lillard and N. Presley, defensive lineman H. Sanderson, running back E. Jackson, and cornerback R. Peterson are all questionable. Running back J. Alexander has been ruled out.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Ball State Cardinals Pick
Spread Pick for Kent State vs. Ball State
- Ball State -3 (4 Units)
This matchup features two evenly matched teams, but Ball State’s defensive front and home-field advantage give the Cardinals the edge. Nathan Voorhis and the Cardinal pass rush should pressure DeShields consistently, especially with Kent State missing key linemen. Ball State’s offense has struggled to finish drives, yet Kelly’s mobility and Ashley’s ground game match up well against a Kent State defense that has allowed large rushing totals on the season. The Golden Flashes’ comeback win showed toughness, but Ball State’s defense is capable of controlling tempo and field position. Back the Cardinals to cover at home.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Vincilleti | +1,502.00 |
| 2 |  Pro Sports Picks | +1,421.00 |
| 3 | Brick Haus Sports | +634.00 |
| 4 | David Delano | +492.00 |
| 5 |  Michael Briggs | +355.00 |
Over/Under Pick for Kent State vs. Ball State
- Under 46.5 (4 Units)
Kent State and Ball State have gone under in three of the last four games. Both offenses have been inconsistent, and both defenses should be able to slow each other down. Neither team runs the football well. Kent State averages around three touchdowns per game, while Ball State sits near the same mark but has scored seven or fewer points in two of its last three contests. With each quarterback likely to face pressure behind banged-up offensive lines, sustained drives may be rare. Expect Ball State to use the run game while Kent State looks for quick strikes, but long possessions and limited red-zone success should keep the total under.
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