Ball State vs Kent State Prediction 9/26/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Ball State Cardinals and the Kent State Golden Flashes meet Saturday in college football action from Dix Stadium in Kent. Here’s a Ball State vs Kent State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Ball State vs Kent State pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Cardinals had an unenviable opener matchup versus Ohio State this year. In that one Ball State gave up 14 points in each quarter along the way to a blowout loss 56-3. Game two went better for the Cardinals. That one was against Stony Brook, and Ball State went into the break with a 21-3 lead. After 20 more points in the fourth quarter the Cardinals had a 41-17 win.

In game three versus Liberty, the Cardinals were down 23-7 by the end of the first half. Ball State coughed up another 28 points from there on the way to a 51-15 road blowout defeat. QB Keldric Luster was 10-of-21 for 93 yards while TJ Horton had eight carries for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the team’s leading rusher.

Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview

Over on the Kent State side, they opened up the season on the road versus South Carolina. The Flashes gave up 22 points in the second quarter and 14 more in each of the following pair in a 57-0 blowout shutout defeat. In game two versus Wofford however, Kent State was able to get their first win. The Flashes put up 22 unanswered fourth-quarter points in a 36-15 win.

Matched up against Ohio State last weekend the Flashes didn’t stand much of a chance. Kent State was already down 35-0 by the end of the first half and things only got worse from there. Kent State did manage a field goal in a 59-3 result though. Dru DeShields was 6-of-15 for 35 yards and a pick, while Wayne Harris led the receivers on his two catches for 29 yards.

Ball State Cardinals @ Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Trends: Week 4

Kent State Golden Flashes Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 4, Rocco Nicholl ranks T1st in the Mid-American Conference for sacks (2.0) this season.

Ball State Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 4, Kamron Chamble ranks T8th amongst FBS players for interceptions (2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Kent State ranks 137th among FBS teams for average point differential in second quarters this season (-13.7).
• Kent State ranks T136th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (65.5).
• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (500.5).
• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (-7.3).

Ball State vs Kent State Prediction

I’ll lean toward Ball State but I’m not touching this one. The Cardinals got pummeled by Liberty’s offense in their latest loss, giving up 460 yards (212 rushing) with 7.2 yards per play, 23 first downs and 10-of-13 on third downs allowed. The offense wasn’t any better with 261 yards (168 rushing) and just 1-of-9 on third downs. The 11 penalties for 107 yards didn’t make things better.

As for Kent State, that road matchup with Ohio State went just about how you might expect: 13 penalties for 100 yards, three turnovers, 134 yards of offense and just six first downs. The defense got hit for 527 yards on the other side. Thankfully this will be a much more manageable game and a comfortable home matchup.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Ball State Cardinals +3.5