| MATCHUP | Ball State Cardinals | Ohio State Buckeyes |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Where | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Saturday, September 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | BTN | |
Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview
The Ball State Cardinals went 4-8 (3-5) last season and they finished tied for 9th in the MAC standings. Ball State started the season with a 31-0 loss against Purdue, which was followed up by a 42-3 loss against Auburn. The Cardinals defeated New Hampshire, Ohio, Akron, and Kent State, but they did lose four of their last five games to end the season. Ball State had a ton of issues on both sides of the ball, but they allowed 107 points in their last three games. The Cardinals scored 15.8 points per game last year, while they allowed 29.8 points against per game on defense.This season, Ball State has two quarterbacks that will see action early in the season, both of which are transfers. The Cardinals have question marks at the running back position, but the offensive line is experienced and they brought in a few transfers at wide receiver. On defense, Ball State is replacing their top seven tacklers, so we will see how quickly the new unit can get up to speed. I think Ball State will contend for a bowl game this year, but this is a tough matchup to start with.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes were 12-2 (9-0) last year and they finished tied for first in the Big Ten regular season standings. Ohio State opened the season with a 14-7 win over Texas, which was followed up by a 70-0 win over Grambling and a 37-9 win over Ohio. The Buckeyes won each of their first 12 games, but they lost the Big Ten Championship game to Indiana by a score of 13-10 and their first CFP game against Miami by a score of 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State scored 33.4 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 9.3 points against per game on defense.This year, Ohio State will have Julian Sayin back at the quarterback spot and they probably have the best roster in the country. The offensive line is very experienced and Bo Jackson is an elite running back, while Jeremiah Smith might be the best wide receiver in the nation. The OSU defense should be solid once again, but they did have to replace some key players, so we will see how long it takes for that unit to figure it out.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 31 September games as a top-15 AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
- Ball State has lost each of its last 12 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in each of its last four games at Ohio Stadium.
- Ball State has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six season openers.
- Ball State has lost the first half in each of its last 12 road games against non-conference opponents.
Why the Ball State Cardinals will win
- Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five season openers.
- Ball State has covered the spread in four of its last five games against teams from Ohio.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ball State’s last seven road games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Ohio State’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Ohio State Buckeyes Player Prop Facts
- Julian Sayin ranked 2nd amongst qualified players for passer rating (177.5) last season.
Ball State Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- TJ Horton ranked 10th in the Mid-American Conference for kick return yards (274) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game last season (4.4).
- Ohio State ranked 1st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game last season (4.9).
- Ball State scored fewer than five points in three road games last season – most of any FBS team.
- Ball State ranked 135th among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters last season (-6.8).