MAC opponents meet when the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-6) and the Ball State Cardinals (3-4) square off on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium.

The Cardinals are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+6.5), against the Huskies (with an over/under of 42.5 points).

Keep reading to check out our betting preview for this this game between the Huskies and the Cardinals, and uncover all of our predictions here, too!

Northern Illinois vs. Ball State betting lines

• Spread favorite: Huskies (-6.5)
• Moneyline: Huskies (-243), Cardinals (+198)
• Total: 42.5 points

Northern Illinois vs. Ball State betting info and stats

Northern Illinois has a single win against the spread so far this season (1-6-0). Northern Illinois has yet to cover the spread when playing as the favorite by at least 6.5 points (a 0-1 ATS record). Northern Illinois split the two games it has played when favored on the moneyline this season. Ball State, in seven games with a set spread so far this season, has gone 5-2-0 against the spread. In the five games Ball State has been the underdog by at least 6.5 points, it covered the spread three times (3-2). In the five games this year, Ball State has been an underdog on the moneyline, it is 2-3.

Northern Illinois vs. Ball State recent stats and trends

Northern Illinois Huskies

• Northern Illinois has not covered a spread (0-3) while going 0-3 overall during its last three matchups.
• Two times in those three games, the final combined score has gone over the set total.
• The past three Northern Illinois games averaged 0.5 more points (43.0) than this matchup’s over/under.

Ball State Cardinals

• Ball State is 2-1 against the spread over its past three games and has a 0-3 straight-up record in those matchups.
• One time in those three games, the final combined score exceeded the set total.
• Ball State’s last three outings have ended with an average of 46.3 points scored. That’s 3.8 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Northern Illinois vs. Ball State key players

Northern Illinois Huskies

• Josh Holst has thrown for 537 yards (107.4 ypg) to lead Northern Illinois, completing 63.2% of his passes and collecting three touchdown passes compared to two interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 105 rushing yards on 44 carries.
• Telly Johnson Jr. has 459 rushing yards on 78 carries, scoring two touchdowns. He’s also added 70 yards (10.0 per game) on 12 catches.
• Chavon Wright has been handed the ball 85 times this year and racked up 325 yards (46.4 per game) with two touchdowns.
• DeAree Rogers’ leads his squad with 396 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 35 catches (out of 46 targets) and scored two touchdowns.
• Gary Givens III has caught nine passes while averaging 14.1 yards per game.
• Roy Williams leads the team with 2.0 sacks, and also has 3.0 TFL and 33 tackles.
• Northern Illinois’ top-tackler, Quinton Urwiler, has 82 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
• Muhammad Jammeh leads the team with two interceptions, while also recording 41 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and two passes defended.

Ball State Cardinals

• Kiael Kelly has thrown for 846 yards (120.9 ypg) to lead Ball State, completing 59.3% of his passes and collecting five touchdown passes and three interceptions this season. He is also a playmaker on the ground, racking up 331 yards (47.3 ypg) on 114 carries with five touchdowns.
• Qua Ashley has carried the ball 90 times for 476 yards, with four touchdowns.
• Qian Magwood leads his squad with 217 receiving yards on 12 catches with one touchdown.
• Eric Weatherly has 18 receptions (on 26 targets) for a total of 127 yards (18.1 yards per game) this year.
• Koby Gross has racked up 127 reciving yards (21.2 ypg) and one touchdown this season.
• Nate Voorhis leads the team with 7.0 sacks, and also has 8.0 TFL and 24 tackles.
• Alfred Chea Jr., Ball State’s tackle leader, has 29 tackles and 1.0 TFL this year.
• Eric McClain has picked off a team-leading one pass. He also has five tackles and one pass defended to his name.