As Week 7 of the 2025 regular season approaches, the Ball State Cardinals will travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium. The game is set for Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a 3:30 PM kickoff and can be viewed on ESPN+. Both teams are members of the Mid-American Conference, adding an extra layer of importance to this matchup. Ball State enters the game with a 2-3 overall record and a 1-0 record in conference play. Their road performance has been a concern, as they have yet to secure a win away from home this season. The Cardinals will look to build on their recent victory against the Ohio Bobcats to turn their season around. Western Michigan, on the other hand, comes into the game with a slightly better record of 3-3 and also holds a 1-0 mark in conference play. The Broncos have been solid at home with a 2-1 record, recently defeating the Massachusetts Minutemen on the road. With a strong showing at Waldo Stadium, they aim to continue their winning ways and strengthen their position in the conference standings.
Western Michigan vs Ball State At a Glance
- Game Venue: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- TV Broadcast: ESPN+
- Western Michigan Record: 3-3 overall, 2-1 at home
- Ball State Record: 2-3 overall, 0-3 on the road
- Odds: Western Michigan favored with a -8.5 spread
Western Michigan Broncos Set to Make Their Mark at Home
Offensive Overview
The Western Michigan Broncos’ offense has scored 118 points this season, placing them 70th in the rankings. They have accumulated 886 passing yards, ranked 107th, indicating a need for improvement in their aerial attack. On the ground, they have managed 884 rushing yards, placing them 55th, showcasing a balanced offensive approach.
Last season, their offense was more productive with 376 points scored, ranked 43rd. Their rushing game was particularly strong, ranking 35th with 2,415 yards. This season’s offense aims to replicate past success, particularly in their rushing game.
Defensive Strength
The Broncos’ defense has been a force to reckon with, leading the nation with 23 sacks, showcasing their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. They have also excelled in turnovers, ranking 6th with five interceptions and 5th with four fumbles recovered. Allowing 124 points this season, their defense ranks 71st, underscoring room for improvement in preventing scores.
Comparatively, last season they struggled, ranking 133rd with 407 points against. The defensive improvements this season have been crucial for their recent success. Their ability to create turnovers and pressure opponents has been a game-changer.
Key Players
Quarterback Broc Lowry leads the team with 751 passing yards over six games, ranking 107th nationally. His performance is critical for the Broncos’ offensive success. On the ground, Jalen Buckley stands out with 227 rushing yards, providing a solid backbone for their offense.
Tailique Williams has been a reliable target in the receiving corps with 229 yards over five games. His contributions are vital in diversifying the Broncos’ offensive threats. The combined efforts of Lowry, Buckley, and Williams have been instrumental in the team’s recent performances.
Recent Performances
The Broncos recently triumphed over Massachusetts with a dominant 21-3 victory, marking their third consecutive win. In this game, they controlled the ground game with 219 rushing yards, limiting Massachusetts to just 57. Their defense was stout, forcing an interception and two fumbles.
Earlier, they secured a 47-14 win against Rhode Island and a narrow 14-13 victory over Toledo, highlighting their ability to win in both high-scoring and tight contests. These performances demonstrate their adaptability and resilience on the field.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 12-1 in last 13 games
- ATS – Home Games: 4-0 in last 4 games
- SU – All Games: 3-0 in last 3 games
- ATS – All Games: 3-0 in last 3 games
- ATS – As Favorite: 3-0 in last 3 games
- ATS – After Win: 3-0 in last 3 games
- O/U – As Favorite: 9-3 in last 12 games
- O/U – Home Games: 9-3 in last 12 games
- SU – Home Games: 10-4 in last 14 games
- SU – After Win: 5-2 in last 7 games
Ball State Cardinals Look to Take Flight Against Western Michigan
Offensive Overview
Ball State’s offense has been a mixed bag this season. They rank 89th in points scored with a total of 82 points, indicating challenges in their scoring abilities. Their passing game, ranked 126th, has been a particular area of concern, with only 676 passing yards accumulated thus far.
Their rushing attack fares slightly better, coming in at 79th with 769 rushing yards. The Cardinals have managed to secure 79 first downs, which ranks them 60th. This suggests their ability to move the chains, albeit inconsistently.
Defensive Dynamics
Defensively, Ball State has struggled, allowing 147 points against, placing them 90th overall. However, their ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks is noteworthy, with 15 sacks ranking them 9th. Despite this pressure, they have yet to record an interception this season, a statistic that ranks them last.
Their fumble recovery rate is decent, ranked 8th with one recovery. This indicates a level of opportunism when it comes to loose balls. However, the lack of interceptions could be a critical gap in their defensive play.
Recent Game Performances
Ball State recently edged out a win against Ohio, 20-14, showcasing a balanced offensive effort with 185 passing yards and 172 rushing yards. Prior to this, they fell to Connecticut, 31-25, despite outpacing them in passing yards with 228. These games reflect a team capable of producing competitive performances, although consistency remains elusive.
In their earlier matchups, the Cardinals suffered a heavy 42-3 defeat against Auburn. This game highlighted their offensive struggles, particularly in the passing department with just 71 yards. Such performances underscore the need for improvement in their aerial attack.
Key Players
Kiael Kelly, the quarterback, leads with 657 passing yards, ranking 115th. He has thrown four touchdowns but also two interceptions, reflecting a need for better decision-making. In the backfield, Qua Ashley stands out with 316 rushing yards and three touchdowns, providing a solid ground option.
On the receiving end, Qian Magwood leads with 174 receiving yards and one touchdown. His contributions will be vital for Ball State’s passing game to improve. The combination of Kelly and Magwood could be pivotal in generating offensive momentum.
Team Betting Trends
- ATS – Home Games: 10-1 over the last 11 games (2023–2025).
- SU – As Favorite: 5-0 over the last 5 games (2023–2025).
- ATS – All Games: 4-0 over the last 4 games (2025).
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: 4-0 over the last 4 games (2023).
- O/U – As Favorite: 3-0 over the last 3 games (2024–2025).
- ATS – As Underdog: 3-0 over the last 3 games (2025).
- ATS – After Win: 3-0 over the last 3 games (2024–2025).
- ATS – After Loss: 3-0 over the last 3 games (2025).
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: 3-0 over the last 3 games (2025).
- O/U – All Games: 11-5-1 over the last 17 games (2024–2025).
Western Michigan vs Ball State Prediction: Over 43.5
Western Michigan’s recent home games have frequently exceeded the total, with the team hitting the over in 9 of their last 12 home contests. Their offensive stats for the season include 118 points scored, ranking 70th, indicating a consistent ability to put points on the board. With Ball State’s defense conceding an average of 29.4 points per game, Western Michigan’s offense should find opportunities to score.
Ball State’s road defense has struggled, evident by their 0-3 road record, which suggests they are vulnerable away from home. They have given up 147 points this season, ranking 90th in points allowed, suggesting potential issues in containing Western Michigan’s offense. Their offense has shown capability as well, scoring 82 points this season despite challenges in their passing game.
Head-to-head encounters between these teams have historically produced high scores, as evidenced by their last three meetings, all of which resulted in totals exceeding 49.5 points. The offensive and defensive trends from both teams point towards a potential high-scoring game, aligning with previous outcomes.
Considering these factors, the projection leans towards a game total surpassing the set line. Expect Western Michigan to utilize their home advantage and offensive prowess to contribute significantly to the total score, with Ball State’s defense likely struggling to contain them effectively.
- Western Michigan vs Ball State Prediction: Over 43.5
- Western Michigan vs Ball State Score: Western Michigan 31 – Ball State 17
