Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats3-1Northwestern hosts Ball State at Ryan Field on Saturday, Oct 10, 12:30 PM ET, a Big Ten program laying 35 points against a MAC side that went 4-8 last season. The Wildcats are one of the steepest favorites you will find this weekend.
See the full college football board & lines →At a glance
- Northwestern is a -37.5 favorite, with the fair price in the markets at -9900.
- Northwestern is 3-1 in 2026, averaging 33 points per game and allowing 16.8. Ball State's 2026 record is not tracked, but they went 4-8 last season.
- No recent meetings are on record between these programs in the last 8 seasons.
Lines at a glance
Where this game is priced right now. Every number is peer to peer, so there is no house margin in it.
Moneyline
Spread
Ball State vs Northwestern preview
The Market Signal
That spread is -37.5, one of the larger numbers on the college board this week. If you have a number in mind, BettorEdge lets you post it yourself and trade peer-to-peer with no built-in vig, meaning the price you set is the price you get.
Northwestern's Form
The Wildcats opened 2026 with back-to-back home wins over South Dakota State (34-18) and Colorado (41-7), then dropped a road game at Indiana 23-29, before bouncing back with a 34-13 home win over Penn State. At 3-1 with a current one-game win streak, Northwestern is scoring 33 points per game and holding opponents to 16.8. Three of their four games have been at Ryan Field, where they have yet to lose.
How the Game Sets Up
Ball State brings MAC credentials into a Big Ten stadium with no 2026 results on record and a 4-8 mark from last season. Northwestern's defensive average of 16.8 points allowed will be tested against a program with limited recent data. The spread at -37.5 prices in a large margin of victory from the Wildcats.
How to play it
Northwestern's scoring pace and defensive numbers support the favorites' case, but 35 points is a large number to cover and ball-control opponents can keep games tighter than the talent gap suggests. Watch the BettorEdge board for community lean once open interest builds. If you see value on either side, set your own line and let the peer-to-peer market come to you.
2026 season so far
Every result the Northwestern Wildcats have posted this season, with scoring averages.
- vs South Dakota StateW 34-18
- vs ColoradoW 41-7
- at IndianaL 23-29
- vs Penn StateW 34-13
Went 7-6 in 2025. Current streak: W1. Home: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL.
Preseason scouting report
Ball State Cardinals
- Starting QB from last season is gone. There is a QB battle between Texas State transfer Keldric Luster (1-3, 14 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) and Concord University transfer Tyler Mizzell (2,889 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs; 454 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs)
- Starting RB from last season is gone, so backup TJ Horton is expected to start (180 yards, 0 TDs)
- Top player in terms of receiving yards is gone, with the top returner being Donovan Hamilton (244 yards, 0 TDs)
- Returning three starting offensive lineman that allowed 49 sacks in 2025 (134th in CFB)
Northwestern Wildcats
- New offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly (Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles is expected to start (1,392 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs; 227 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs)
- Caleb Komolafe returns at RB after a sophomore season of 941 yards and 11 TDs
- All three starting WRs return in Griffin Wilde (880 yards, 8 TDs), Hayden Elgon II (521 yards, 3 TDs), and Drew Wagner (172 yards, 2 TDs)
The rest of the slate
Every other Power 5 game with a live market right now.
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Frequently asked questions
What time does Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats start?+
Ball State Cardinals at Northwestern Wildcats kicks off Saturday, Oct 10, 12:30 PM ET at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Start times are listed in Eastern; check your own zone if you are watching from elsewhere.
Who is favored in Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats?+
The Northwestern Wildcats are favored at -9900 on the moneyline in prediction markets and -37.5 on the spread. Prices move as money comes in, and on BettorEdge you can set your own number on either side.
What is the spread for Ball State Cardinals vs Northwestern Wildcats?+
The spread is Northwestern Wildcats -37.5, priced by the BettorEdge community rather than a house. Because the market is peer-to-peer you can also set your own number and wait for someone to take it.
What is the "community lean" on this game?+
It is the share of real money posted on each team on the BettorEdge peer-to-peer order book, currently leaning toward the Ball State Cardinals. Because every price is backed by another bettor, the open interest is a genuine read on what the community believes.
When do the lines lock?+
Markets lock at kickoff, Saturday, Oct 10, 12:30 PM ET. Prices move as money comes in beforehand, so the community lean and the best number can shift right up until the game starts.
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