Overview
- Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, with national TV coverage on ESPNU.
- Both teams are 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the MAC, so the loser absorbs a sixth defeat and would need to win out to reach bowl eligibility.
- Sportsbooks make Ball State a 1.5-point favorite, and the Cardinals are 3-0 at home while Kent State is 0-4 on the road.
- Kent State’s improvement includes removing the interim tag from Mark Carney and a spark from redshirt freshman quarterback Dru DeShields, who has 11 touchdowns to two interceptions.
- Ball State’s offense has been inconsistent, but its defense features DE Nathan Voorhis, who ranks second nationally with 10.0 sacks and helped fuel a 20-14 upset of reigning MAC champion Ohio.