Stony Brook vs Ball State Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 12, 2026

Stony Brook visits Ball State on Saturday at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, with the opening kickoff at 2:00 PM ET and televised on ESPN+. Stony Brook is 1-1 after beating Lincoln 36-32 following a 41-34 loss to Delaware State. Ball State is 0-1 after a 56-3 road loss to Ohio State. The Cardinals are trying to end a four-game losing streak dating to last season. Cash in a big winner with our free NCAAF picks.

Stony Brook Producing Plenty of Points

Stony Brook averages 310.5 passing yards, with Quinn Boyd completing 49 of 76 attempts for 621 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Boyd has averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt and has a long completion of 55 yards. The Seawolves average 118.5 rushing yards and have scored five times on the ground. CJ Hester leads that group with 186 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. Boyd has also rushed for two touchdowns, adding another scoring option around the goal line.

Seth Sweitzer has been Boyd's leading target with 17 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Keiden Gutierrez has 102 yards and two scores on 10 catches, while D.J. Linkins has added 85 yards and a touchdown. Stony Brook's defense has recorded six sacks, led by Khalid Bueno with 2.5 and Lance Byndon with 1.5. Reggie Darkah has two sacks, while Joseph Garcia leads the defense with 21 tackles. Anthony Ferrelli and Bueno have 15 tackles apiece. The defense has not recorded an interception.

Injuries: No injuries to report.

Ball State Trying to Find More Offense

Ball State produced 165 total yards and three points in its 56-3 loss at Ohio State. Keldric Luster completed 18 of 33 passes for 89 yards with one interception, while Tyler Mizzell completed 2 of 4 attempts for 31 yards. The Cardinals averaged only 3.2 yards per pass attempt as a team. The rushing attack finished with 45 yards on 23 carries. Elijah Jackson led Ball State with 20 yards on two attempts, while Luster added 10 yards on nine carries. The Cardinals did not score an offensive touchdown.

Elisha Durham led Ball State's receivers with 26 yards on one catch, while Tate Hoover caught five passes for 20 yards. Defensively, the Cardinals recorded two sacks and one interception. Anthony Pinnace and Jared Badie each had one sack, while Cedric Franklin II recorded the interception. Quentavius Scandrett and Lucas Szymborski led the team with six tackles apiece. Brody Boehm accounted for Ball State's only points with a 54-yard field goal. The Cardinals need longer offensive possessions after their defense faced heavy pressure against Ohio State.

Injuries: Tight end C. Coonrod and wide receiver D. Talbert are questionable with undisclosed injuries.

Key to the Game

Ball State's secondary against Boyd and Stony Brook's receivers is the matchup to watch. The Seawolves have already produced 621 passing yards, and Boyd has five touchdown passes against only one interception. Sweitzer has been particularly productive, averaging 14 yards per reception, while Gutierrez and Linkins add other options. Ball State did intercept one pass against Ohio State, but the Cardinals will need more consistent pressure to prevent Boyd from having time to find his receivers downfield.

Stony Brook vs Ball State Game Pick

• Stony Brook

Stony Brook is the pick behind an offense that has scored 70 points and shown far more passing production than Ball State. Quinn Boyd has thrown for 621 yards and five touchdowns with only one interception, while CJ Hester has rushed for 186 yards and three scores. Ball State managed just 165 total yards against Ohio State and did not score an offensive touchdown. The Cardinals should find more room against Stony Brook, but Boyd's passing production and several productive receiving options make the Seawolves the stronger play Saturday.

Stony Brook vs Ball State Over/Under Pick

• Over

Over is the pick because Stony Brook has already played two high-scoring games, with 73 combined points against Delaware State and 68 against Lincoln. The Seawolves have scored 34 or more in both contests, while their defense has allowed at least 32 each time. Ball State struggled badly against Ohio State, but Stony Brook's defensive results create a better path to points. Boyd and Hester can keep the Seawolves scoring, while even moderate improvement from the Cardinals should push this matchup toward another higher-scoring result.