In Week 8 of the 2025 regular season, the Akron Zips will travel to face the Ball State Cardinals at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. Scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 3:30 PM, this Mid-American Conference game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams enter the game with a season record looking to make significant improvements.
Akron Zips hold a 2-5 record, struggling to secure victories on the road with a 0-3 away record. Their recent performance includes a 20-7 loss against Miami (OH) RedHawks in Week 7. Despite their challenges, the Zips have demonstrated potential with a notable 51-7 win over Duquesne Dukes in Week 4.
Ball State Cardinals, with a 2-4 record, have been undefeated at home this season, boasting a 2-0 record at Scheumann Stadium. They are coming off a tough 42-0 defeat by Western Michigan Broncos. However, their Week 6 win against Ohio Bobcats at home shows they can be a competitive force on familiar turf.
Ball State vs Akron At a Glance
- Game Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN
- Kickoff Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 3:30 PM
- TV Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Akron’s Current Season Record: 2-5 overall, 0-3 on the road
- Ball State’s Current Season Record: 2-4 overall, 2-0 at home
- Consensus Odds: Akron -104, Ball State -116; Spread Akron +1.5, Ball State -1.5
Ball State Cardinals Seeking Redemption at Home
Offensive Overview
The Ball State Cardinals have struggled offensively this season, ranking 95th in points scored with just 82 points. Their passing game has been particularly weak, ranking 124th with only 744 passing yards. However, they have shown some capability on the ground, ranking 93rd in rushing yards.
Last season, the Cardinals were more productive offensively, scoring 304 points and ranking 75th. Their passing game was much stronger, with 2,936 yards, placing them 57th overall. This suggests a regression in their offensive capabilities this season.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, the Cardinals have been under pressure, allowing 189 points against them, ranking 112th. Despite this, they have been effective at pressuring the quarterback, with 15 sacks, ranking 11th. However, their ability to create turnovers has been limited, with only one interception this season.
Their defense last season faced challenges, conceding 481 points and ranking 147th. However, they were more successful in creating turnovers, with eight interceptions and eight fumbles recovered, both ranking within the top 10. Their ability to replicate this turnover production could be key to turning their season around.
Recent Game Performance
The Cardinals are coming off a tough 42-0 loss to Western Michigan, where they struggled to move the ball, managing only 68 passing yards and 20 rushing yards. This followed a narrow 20-14 victory over Ohio, where they performed better offensively with 185 passing yards and 172 rushing yards.
In their previous games, they had a competitive outing against Connecticut, losing 31-25 but showing offensive potential with 228 passing yards. Their victory over New Hampshire, 34-29, showcased their ability to capitalize on rushing opportunities, with 308 rushing yards.
Key Players to Watch
Kiael Kelly, the Cardinals’ quarterback, has thrown for 725 yards, ranking 120th, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. His performance will be critical in improving their passing game. On the ground, Qua Ashley has been the standout, rushing for 333 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Qian Magwood has been a key target, with 11 receptions for 200 yards. His ability to stretch the field and create opportunities will be essential for the Cardinals’ offensive success.
Injury Report
The Cardinals are facing a slew of injuries, with several key players questionable, including Khristian Zachary and DeJuan Echoles Jr. on defense. Offensively, Nick Presley and Cody Smith’s potential absence could impact their passing and offensive line stability.
Team Betting Trends
- ATS – Home Games: 10-1 (90.9%) in last 11 games
- SU – As Favorite: 5-0 (100.0%) in last 5 games
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: 4-0 (100.0%) in last 4 games
- O/U – As Favorite: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games
- ATS – After Loss: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games
Akron Zips Seek Redemption on the Road Against Ball State
Offensive Challenges
The Akron Zips have been struggling offensively this season, ranking 80th in points scored with a total of 117 points. Their passing game has been inconsistent, sitting at 82nd with 1,277 passing yards. The rushing attack shows a slight edge at 70th place, accumulating 931 yards.
While the Zips have managed to achieve a respectable 38th rank in first downs with 121, it hasn’t translated into enough points on the board. Consistency in moving the chains will be crucial to improve their offensive performance.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Zips have faced challenges, ranking 119th in points allowed with 203 points against them. However, they have been effective in creating turnovers, securing 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries, both ranking in the top 10.
The Zips’ ability to pressure quarterbacks is noteworthy, ranking 14th in sacks with 12, but overall defensive cohesion remains a work in progress. The team needs to tighten up its defensive schemes to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Quarterback Performance
Ben Finley has been the leading force under center for Akron, amassing 1,157 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. Despite being the top quarterback for the Zips, Finley’s 4 interceptions point to areas for improvement in decision-making.
Backup quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. has seen limited action with only 39 passing yards and 1 touchdown, providing depth but lacking significant impact. As the season progresses, the Zips will rely heavily on Finley’s arm to steer the offense.
Rushing and Receiving Corps
Jordan Gant stands out in the backfield with 511 rushing yards, ranking 29th nationally, and adding 3 rushing touchdowns to his name. His performance is key to balancing the Zips’ offensive attack.
In the receiving department, Kyan Mason leads with 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Israel Polk complements the receiving corps with 221 yards and 3 touchdowns, providing additional targets for the quarterbacks.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – After Loss: 6-0 in the last 6 games (2024–2025)
- SU – As Favorite: 8-1 in the last 9 games (2020–2025)
- O/U – As Favorite: 4-0 in the last 4 games (2023–2025)
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: 4-0 in the last 4 games (2024–2025)
- O/U – Away Games: 9-2 in the last 11 games (2023–2025)
- ATS – After Loss: 3-0 in the last 3 games (2025)
Ball State vs Akron Prediction: Under 42.5
The Ball State Cardinals have struggled offensively this season, ranking 95th in points scored with a total of 82 points. Their passing and rushing games have not been strong, with their passing yards ranked 124th nationally. This is a team that has had difficulty finding the end zone, which is a concern when looking at the total points for this game.
On the other hand, the Akron Zips have also experienced offensive challenges, only scoring 117 points and ranking 80th in points scored. Akron has not been able to generate much success on the road, with a 0-3 road record this season. Their offensive struggles are likely to continue against Ball State’s defense, which has shown some ability to limit opponents, despite their high points against ranking.
Defensively, both teams have vulnerabilities, but Ball State has been able to capitalize on their home-field advantage, holding a perfect home record. Their defense has managed to create some pressure with 15 sacks, which could disrupt Akron’s offensive game plan. Given the lack of offensive firepower from both teams, a lower-scoring game is anticipated.
Considering the offensive and defensive stats for both teams, the total of 42.5 seems ambitious. With neither team displaying consistent scoring abilities, the game is likely to fall under the given total. I project a final score that reflects a competitive but low-scoring game.
- Ball State vs Akron Prediction: Under 42.5
- Ball State vs Akron Score: Ball State 20 – Akron 17
