Ball State vs. Northern Illinois preview: Predictions, and odds for rivalry game
On Tuesday night, Northern Illinois and Ball State will face off in the Bronze Stalk rivalry game. This is the youngest rivalry game in the Mid-American Conference, which started in 2008. The Huskies (4-5) will be hosting the Cardinals (2-7), and both teams will be looking for a crucial win.
The Huskies will try to extend their two-game home winning streak, while the Cardinals are trying to keep the Bronze Stalk trophy after their impressive comeback 44-38 win in last year's game. Ball State is coming off a 24-21 loss to Bowling Green in Week 10, whereas Northern Illinois lost 37-31 to Central Michigan.
Although Ball State has won three of the last four meetings between these two teams, the Huskies are favored to win the Tuesday night game.
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How to watch Northern Illinois vs. Ball State, TV and streaming:
The Northern Illinois Huskies kick-off against the Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m., ET, on CBS Sports Network. You can also watch via Fubo.
How to watch: Catch football action this season on Fubo
Ball State vs. NIU football: odds, lines, betting trends
The Huskies are favorites to defeat the Cardinals, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
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Spread Favorite: Northern Illinois (-10)
Moneyline: Northern Illinois (-372), Ball State (+287)
Total: 43 points
Northern Illinois vs. Ball State predictions:
The following are some predictions and betting advice from around the web.
Athlon Sports: Huskies will win by a touchdown
It writes: "The Huskies are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -8.5) versus the Cardinals."
Action Network: Great matchup for Ball State
It writes: "The Cardinals’ biggest weakness has been their passing defense, but Northern Illinois is at its best when it runs the ball. In the Huskies' four wins, Lombardi has been held under 200 yards passing each time. Northern Illinois plays a style of football that tends to lead to close games. Both of these teams play extremely slow and want to keep the ball on the ground, which makes it harder for anybody to pull away. This is a good matchup for the Cardinals, and the read option led by Kelly and Cooper should find enough success to get Ball State the cover here."
Statsalt: Huskies are the better program
It writes: "The Northern Illinois Huskies are far and away the better program in this game and should absolutely dominate here. Rocky Lombardi has shown the ability to play well and has incredible experience while Kiael Kelly is not a good collegiate quarterback at this stage of his career. Ball State is a weak team while Northern Illinois is fighting for their ability to play in a bowl game."
The Northern Illinois Huskies football 2023 schedule and results:
Week 1: NIU 27-21 Boston College, Final
Week 2: NIU 11-14 S. Illinois, Final
Week 3: NIU 11-35 Nebraska, Final
Week 4: NIU 14-22 Tulsa, Final
Week 5: NIU 33-35 Toledo, Final
Week 6: NIU 55-14 Akron, Final
Week 7: NIU 23-13 Ohio, Final
Week 8: NIU 20-13 E. Michigan, Final
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: NIU 31-37 C. Michigan, Final
Week 11: Tues. 11/07: NIU vs. Ball State, 7:00 p.m., ET, CBSSN
Week 12: Tues. 11/14: NIU vs. Western Michigan, 7:00 p.m., ET, TBD
Week 13: Sat 11/25: NIU vs. Kent State, TBD
The Ball State Cardinals football 2023 schedule and results:
Week 1: Ball State 14-44 Kentucky, Final
Week 2: Ball State 3-45 Georgia, Final
Week 3: Ball State 45-7 Indiana State, Final
Week 4: Ball State 3-40, Georgia Southern, Final
Week 5: Ball State 42-24 Western Michigan, Final
Week 6: Ball State 10-24 Eastern Michigan, Final
Week 7: Ball State 6-13 Toledo, Final
Week 8: Ball State 24-17 Central Michigan, Final
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: Ball State 21-24 Bowling Green, Final
Week 11: Tues. 11/07: Ball State vs. NIU, 7:00 p.m., ET, CBSSN
Week 12: Sat. 11/18: Ball State vs. Kent State, 2:00 p.m., ET, ESPN+
Week 13: Sat 11/25: Ball State vs. Miami (OH), TBD
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ball State-NIU: Predictions, odds, and how to watch Bronze Stalk game