Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC A pair of MAC programs collide on the gridiron in the Hoosier State as the Akron Zips travel to take on the Ball State Cardinals Saturday afternoon and we have you covered with our Akron vs. Ball State prediction. Akron fell 20-7 to Miami (OH) at home in their previous contest last Saturday, failing to cover the line as a 10.5-point underdog. Ball State was bombed 42-0 on the road by Western Michigan in their previous game last Saturday, failing to cover the line as a 10-point underdog. In the all-time series between the teams, each team has 12 wins and a tie, with the Cardinals picking up a 31-25 road win in the most recent matchup on November 2, 2021. Read more about this Akron vs. Ball State prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Akron Trying to Earn Road Win
Akron couldn’t string together back-to-back wins as they were stifled by Miami (OH) at home in their previous contest last Saturday. The Zips fell to 2-5 overall on the season and 1-2 in MAC play on the year. Against Miami (OH), Akron couldn’t get their offense going, and that proved to be their undoing in the contest. The Zips were in a game that was scoreless after the opening quarter and trailed 3-0 at the half. Akron was down 17-0 after three quarters and didn’t score until 6:54 remained in the contest. The Zips were outgained 350-273 in total offense, gave up 20 first downs while picking up 17, lost time of possession by a 34:12 to 25:48 margin in a game where both teams committed one turnover.
For the season, the Zips are 109th in the nation in passing offense with 182.4 yards per contest, while they are 98th in rushing offense with 129.3 yards per game. Akron is a dismal 129th in the FBS in scoring offense by averaging 16.7 points per contest, while they are also struggling on the other side of the ball. They are ranked 102nd of 136 FBS teams in scoring defense by allowing 29 points per game. Ben Finley is 94 of 185 passing for 1,157 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, plus 20 rushing yards this season. Brayden Roggow (10 of 16, 81 yards, 10 rush yards) and Michael Johnson Jr. (11 of 22, 39 yards, TD, 31 rush yards) are next up on the depth chart. Jordan Gant leads the team with 97 carries for 511 yards and three scores this season. Sean Patrick (48 carries, 219 yards, TD) is the second back in the system. Kyan Mason leads the team with 20 receptions for 318 yards and two scores on the year. Israel Polk (18 catches, 221 yards, three TD), Myles Walker (17 grabs, 185 yards), Marcel Williams (13 receptions, 159 yards) and Cameron Monteiro (eight receptions, 109 yards) are each over the 100-yard receiving mark on the season. Owen Wiley has hit all 11 extra point attempts but is four of 10 on field goal attempts with a long of 39 this year. Matthew Schramm is two of two on extra point attempts and two of two on field goal attempts with a long of 41 this season.
Running back depth could be a problem for the Zips. Patrick, Marquese Williams (21 carries, 86 yards), Chris Gee and Taven Curry are all questionable for this contest.
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Cardinals Looking to Prevail at Home
Ball State was trounced by Western Michigan on the road in their previous contest last Saturday, snapping their win streak at one game. The Cardinals fell to 2-4 overall on the season and stand 1-1 in the MAC entering this contest. Against Western Michigan, Ball State trailed 7-0 after the opening quarter, 21-0 at the half and 28-0 after three quarters en route to the loss. The Cardinals never got inside the Broncos’ 40-yard line as their offense sputtered. Ball State was clubbed 461-88 in total offense, gave up 25 first downs while picking up five and lost time of possession by a 35:37 to 24:23 margin in the contest. Both teams turned the ball over twice in the contest.
For the season, the Cardinals are 133rd in the nation in passing offense with 124 yards per game through the air while they are 95th in rushing offense with 131.5 yards per contest. Ball State is 134th in the FBS in scoring offense with 13.7 points per game and 121st in scoring defense as they allow an average of 31.5 points per contest. Kiael Kelly is 76 of 126 passing for 725 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 273 yards plus two scores on the ground. Aidan Leffler (zero of one) and Qian Magwoood (one of one, 19 yards, TD) have seen limited action under center. Qua Ashley leads the team with 70 carries for 333 yards and three scores on the ground. Eric Weatherly (five carries, 49 yards) and TJ Horton (28 carries, 109 yards) are next in line for the run game. Weatherly leads the team in the passing game with 16 receptions for 118 yards and two scores this season. Donovan Hamilton (10 receptions, 100 yards), Ashley (15 catches, 78 yards, TD) and Magwood (11 grabs, 200 yards, TD) are the only players with more than 50 receiving yards on the season. Carson Holmer is seven of seven on extra point attempts and three of five on field goal attempts with a long of 23 on the year.
Akron vs. Ball State Pick
Moneyline Pick for Akron vs. Ball State
- Ball State -110 (4 units)
This is a matchup of a pair of teams that are below .500 on the season and who have struggled to put together any kind of consistency. Akron has gone 0-3 on the road this season, getting outscored by a combined margin of 144-31, and 28 of their points came in a three-point loss to UAB back on September 13. Ball State is equally dismal on the offensive side of the ball, but they have won both their home games this season, including a 20-14 win over Ohio on October 4. Given the injury issues Akron has, especially at running back, you have to fade them here. Ball State earns a third win of the season as they prevail at home in a rock fight.
Over/Under Pick for Akron vs. Ball State
- Under 42.5 (4 units)
Akron, for their offensive woes, has seen the over post a 4-3 mark in their seven games on the season. The Zips have gone over the number in two of their three road contests, with the lone exception coming in a 45-3 defeat to Toledo on September 27. Ball State has stayed under the number in four of its six games this season. The Cardinals split their two home games in relation to the number, going over the number against New Hampshire and staying under the number against Ohio. Both teams are in the bottom 10 in the FBS in scoring offense so 17 points could be enough to prevail here. Take the under in this contest as a result.
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