Who's Playing

Ball State @ Central Michigan

Current Records: Ball State 2-3; Central Michigan 1-4

What to Know

After two games on the road, the Central Michigan Chippewas are heading back home. CMU and the Ball State Cardinals will face off in a Mid-American battle at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Ball State will be strutting in after a victory while the Chippewas will be stumbling in from a defeat.

Things couldn't have gone much worse for CMU as they lost 38-17 to the Toledo Rockets last week. CMU was in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 31-3. One thing holding CMU back was the mediocre play of RB Lew Nichols III, who did not have his best game: he rushed for 32 yards on 17 carries.

Meanwhile, it may have taken double overtime to finish the job, but the Cardinals ultimately got the result they were hoping for last week with a 44-38 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies. The victory came about thanks to a strong surge after the half to overcome a 24-7 deficit. Ball State's RB Carson Steele was one of the most active players for the squad, punching in three rushing touchdowns. Ball State's win came on a one-yard rush from Steele with only 0:00 remaining in double overtime.

The Chippewas are the favorite in this one, with an expected 7.5-point margin of victory. Those burned by picking them against the spread last week might want to keep in mind that the team has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season.

CMU is now 1-4 while the Cardinals sit at 2-3. Two offensive numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: CMU ranks 26th in the nation when it comes to passing yards per game, with 292 on average. But Ball State is even better: they come into the contest boasting the 17th most passing yards per game in the nation at 307.6. We'll see if that edge gives Ball State a route to victory.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Kelly/Shorts Stadium -- Mount Pleasant, Michigan
  • TV: ESPN Plus
  • Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $39.00

Odds

The Chippewas are a big 7.5-point favorite against the Cardinals, according to the latest college football odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Chippewas as an 8.5-point favorite.

Over/Under: -109

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Series History

Central Michigan have won five out of their last seven games against Ball State.

  • Nov 17, 2021 - Central Michigan 37 vs. Ball State 17
  • Dec 05, 2020 - Ball State 45 vs. Central Michigan 20
  • Nov 16, 2019 - Central Michigan 45 vs. Ball State 44
  • Oct 13, 2018 - Ball State 24 vs. Central Michigan 23
  • Oct 21, 2017 - Central Michigan 56 vs. Ball State 9
  • Oct 08, 2016 - Central Michigan 24 vs. Ball State 21
  • Oct 24, 2015 - Central Michigan 23 vs. Ball State 21