College football picks: Ball State vs. NIU prediction, odds, spread, game preview for MACtion
Sometimes MACtion weeknight games on don’t have much to play for, but a bowl game is still possible for the home team when the Ball State Cardinals take on the NIU Huskies on Tuesday, November 7. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, and the game will air on CBS Sports Network.
Ball State (2-7, 1-4 MAC) is 130th by offensive SP+ out of 133 teams this season, but a 24-21 loss at Bowling Green last Wednesday showed they’re closing stronger on the season. Quarterback Kiael Kelly only threw the ball 19 times for 66 yards, but the ground game was solid with 49 carries for 217 yards and three touchdowns.
NIU (5-4, 3-2 MAC) is all but eliminated from MAC contention thanks to their loss to West Division leading Toledo to end September, but there are plenty of postseason games that would love to host the former G5 Orange Bowl representative in the 2013 BCS. Former Michigan State QB Rocky Lombardi is finishing out his sixth season with 1658 yards passing and nine touchdowns so far this season.
SP+ Rankings
Ball State: 128 overall, 130 offense, 99 defense
NIU: 99 overall, 102 offense, 90 defense
Injury update
Ball State
N/A
NIU
Kacper Rutkiewicz - questionable (lower body)
ATS/Total
Against The Spread in 2023
Ball State: 4-4-1 ATS
NIU: 4-5 ATS
Total in 2023
Ball State: Over 4-5
NIU: Over 5-4
Team Pace
Ball State: Play every 28.5 seconds of offense (111th)
NIU: Play every 27.8 seconds of offense (99th)
Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: NIU -8.5
Total: 44
Moneyline: NIU -310, BSU +250
Opening line: NIU -10.5
Opening total: 43
Weather
Under 44
While neither of these teams are world-beaters, they have defenses that perform a bit above average for the MAC and can get stops. The Huskies allow just 325.6 a game and 5.1 yards per play, while the BSU offense is at just 293.7 and 4.7. Look for the Huskies to get an early lead at home on a Tuesday night, while killing enough of the clock in the second half to close the game under six scores.
