In Week 9 of the 2025 College Football season, the Ball State Cardinals will travel to face the Northern Illinois Huskies at Brigham Field in Dekalb, IL. The Cardinals, currently holding a 3-4 record, have shown strength at home but are yet to secure a victory on the road. Meanwhile, the Huskies are looking to improve their 1-6 record and earn their second home win of the season. Ball State enters the game following a strong 42-28 home win against Akron, showing off a solid rushing attack with 223 yards. However, their road performance has been shaky, as evidenced by a 42-0 loss to Western Michigan. The Cardinals will be keen to reverse their road woes in this upcoming matchup. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from a 48-21 defeat by Ohio. The Huskies have struggled offensively, particularly in their aerial game, as seen in recent losses. They’ll aim to leverage their home-field advantage and improve upon their current conference record of 0-3.
Northern Illinois vs Ball State At a Glance
- Game Venue: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, IL
- Game Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- Television: Available on ESPN+
- Weather Forecast: Outdoor game; check local forecasts closer to game day for conditions
- Current Odds: Northern Illinois -213 on the moneyline, Ball State +178
- Spread: Northern Illinois favored by 5.5 points
Northern Illinois Huskies Look to Rebound Against Ball State
Recent Struggles on the Road
The Northern Illinois Huskies have faced challenges in recent away games, losing their last three contests against Ohio, Eastern Michigan, and Mississippi State. The loss to Ohio was particularly tough, with the Huskies falling 48-21, marking their highest points conceded this season. In these games, the Huskies have struggled to control the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by being outgained in rushing yards and first downs.
Despite a solid rushing performance against Eastern Michigan, where they put up 216 yards on the ground, the Huskies’ passing game remains a concern. With only 94 passing yards in that game, the team has been unable to find a balance on offense.
Offensive Challenges
Northern Illinois’ offense has struggled to find consistency, particularly in the passing department. They rank 128th in passing yards, a stark contrast to their more productive rushing attack, which ranks 66th. The team’s inability to sustain drives has been evident in their recent games, averaging only 13 first downs per game in their last three outings.
Quarterback Josh Holst has been at the helm for much of the season, accumulating 537 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. However, his performance has been hampered by limited protection and an ineffective aerial attack.
Defensive Highlights and Concerns
Defensively, Northern Illinois has shown some promise in creating turnovers, ranking 6th in interceptions and 9th in fumbles recovered. This ability to disrupt opposing offenses has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.
However, the defense has also faced challenges, especially against the run. In their recent loss to Ohio, they allowed 335 rushing yards, which highlights the need for improvement in stopping the ground game.
Key Players to Watch
Running back Telly Johnson Jr. is a key figure in the Huskies’ offense, leading the team with 459 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. His ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact makes him a vital component of their ground attack.
On the defensive side, watch for impact plays from the secondary, which has been opportunistic in forcing turnovers. Their ability to create turnovers could be crucial in turning the tide in upcoming games.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 25 Games (2021–2025) → 15-10 (60.0%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 30 Games (2020–2025) → 17-13 (56.7%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 13 Games (2023–2025) → 8-5 (61.5%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 25 Games (2022–2025) → 15-10 (60.0%)
Ball State Cardinals Prepare for Northern Illinois Challenge
Current Season Overview
Ball State Cardinals have had a mixed 2025 season, marked by both impressive victories and disappointing losses. They currently rank 87th in points scored with a total of 124. Despite their struggles, the team shows promise in certain areas, notably their rushing attack which ranks 76th with 1012 yards.
On the defensive side, Ball State has allowed 217 points, placing them 117th in the nation. However, their defense excels in creating turnovers, ranking 4th in interceptions with 3 and 8th in fumbles recovered with 2. This ability to generate turnovers could play a crucial role in their upcoming games.
Offensive Challenges
The Cardinals have encountered difficulties in their passing game, currently ranking 127th with 902 yards. Quarterback Kiael Kelly has contributed 846 of those yards, but the team will need more consistency in the air to improve their offensive output.
Qua Ashley has been a bright spot in the backfield, amassing 476 rushing yards, placing him 58th nationally. His performance will be vital as the Cardinals aim to establish a ground game against Northern Illinois.
Recent Game Performances
In their recent 42-28 win against Akron, Ball State showcased a solid rushing attack with 223 yards on the ground. However, their passing game remained limited, only accumulating 158 yards. The Cardinals must aim for a more balanced offensive approach in future contests.
Contrastingly, their 42-0 loss to Western Michigan highlighted the inconsistencies in their performance. Ball State struggled significantly, recording only 68 passing yards and 20 rushing yards, underlining the need for improvement in both areas.
Betting Trends
- ATS – Home Games: Last 12 Games (2023–2025) → 11-1 (91.7%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2023–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 4 Games (2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: Last 4 Games (2023) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
Upcoming Game Focus
As the Cardinals prepare for their away game against Northern Illinois, they will aim to address these offensive inconsistencies. The ability to leverage their defensive strengths, particularly in turnovers, will be key to securing a victory. A cohesive team performance is essential for Ball State to improve their standing this season.
Northern Illinois vs Ball State Prediction: Northern Illinois -5.5
Northern Illinois enters this game as 5.5-point favorites despite a tough season so far. Their home record of 1-2 suggests some vulnerability, but the Huskies have generally performed better when favored. Additionally, their recent postseason success in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl indicates they can rise to the occasion when necessary.
Ball State, with a 0-4 road record, faces an uphill battle in Dekalb. Though they have a better overall record than Northern Illinois, their struggles away from home cannot be ignored. Ball State’s defense, ranked 117th in points against, could be a liability against a Huskies team looking to exploit any weaknesses.
Statistically, Northern Illinois shows strength in their rushing game, ranked 66th, which may prove crucial against Ball State’s defensive shortcomings. Given these factors, the Huskies have a solid opportunity to cover the spread at home, leveraging their offensive strengths against a shaky Ball State defense.
With Northern Illinois having the edge at home and Ball State struggling on the road, the prediction favors the Huskies to win and cover the spread. A projected final score might look like Northern Illinois 28, Ball State 17.
- Northern Illinois vs Ball State Prediction: Northern Illinois -5.5
- Northern Illinois vs Ball State Score: Northern Illinois 28 – Ball State 17
