Ball State at Western Michigan - 2021 Matchup Preview
Ball State logo Ball State Cardinals at Western Michigan BroncosWestern Michigan logo
Saturday, October 9th 2021 (3:30 PM EDT)
Western Michigan -13 (57.5)
Ball State 45 - Western Michigan: 20  (Mid-American)

 
Cardinals (6 - 7) (4 - 9 - 0)
Coach Mike Neu (23 - 36)
Avg Score : 24 - 28 (28 - 33 on Road)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
WMU is playing their 6th straight game
BALL is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: -8.5  (SP+ WMU -12)

Projected Score: BALL: 19 - WMU: 32 (51)
WMU Win prob: 80% | Cover: 46%
BALL Travel: 143 miles
Broncos (8 - 5) (6 - 6 - 1)
Coach Tim Lester (26 - 21)
Avg Score : 33 - 28 (35 - 27 @ Home)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Ball State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/2 Ball State vs Western Illinois-31.058.5W 31 - 21UN
Sat 9/11 Ball State at Penn State+23.058.0L 13 - 44UN
Sat 9/18 Ball State at Wyoming+6.553.5L 12 - 45ON
Sat 9/25 Ball State vs Toledo+4.556.5L 12 - 22UN
Sat 10/2 Ball State vs Army+10.546.5W 28 - 16UY
Sat 10/9 Ball State at Western Michigan+13.057.5W 45 - 20OY
Sat 10/16 Ball State at Eastern Michigan-1.554.5W 38 - 31OY
Sat 10/23 Ball State vs Miami (OH)-3.553.0L 17 - 24UN
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/2 Ball State at Akron-20.058.0W 31 - 25UN
Wed 11/10 Ball State at Northern Illinois-3.059.5L 29 - 30UN
Wed 11/17 Ball State vs Central Michigan+2.557.0L 17 - 37UN
Tue 11/23 Ball State vs Buffalo-6.059.5W 20 - 3UY
Sat 12/25 Ball State vs Georgia State+6.052.5L 20 - 51ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Ball State's Schedule
Western Michigan's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Western Michigan at Michigan+16.565.5L 14 - 47UN
Sat 9/11 Western Michigan vs Illinois State-12.556.5W 28 - 0UY
Sat 9/18 Western Michigan at Pittsburgh+14.059.0W 44 - 41OY
Sat 9/25 Western Michigan vs San José State-2.561.5W 23 - 3UY
Sat 10/2 Western Michigan at Buffalo-7.059.5W 24 - 17UN
Sat 10/9 Western Michigan vs Ball State-13.057.5L 20 - 45ON
Sat 10/16 Western Michigan vs Kent State-7.068.5W 64 - 31OY
Sat 10/23 Western Michigan at Toledo-1.554.5L 15 - 34UN
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/3 Western Michigan vs Central Michigan-9.064.5L 30 - 42ON
Tue 11/9 Western Michigan vs Akron-24.562.0W 45 - 40ON
Tue 11/16 Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan-6.066.0L 21 - 22UN
Tue 11/23 Western Michigan at Northern Illinois-6.560.0W 42 - 21OY
Mon 12/27 Western Michigan vs Nevada-7.056.0W 52 - 24OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Michigan's Schedule
Important Stats (2021)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BALL.1341%24.141%3.0313041%2083.68.2549%28.447%54%3.9340.80.91.5
WMU.3150%32.552%3.5421447%2544.16.2239%28.243%35%3.7258.91.21.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BALL#98 (.14)42% (78)44% (70)3.06 (61)10341% (72)2453.94 (65)#128 (.32)46% (118)46% (103)47% (121)4.81 (133)45.31.21.3
WMU#43 (.24)45% (33)45% (59)3.05 (62)18446% (27)1874.11 (49)#122 (.29)49% (128)48% (115)51% (132)4.38 (119)39.211.6



Overall Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BALL Offense1324.12840.5%3.680.9193371302083.848%51%41%41%15%.13
WMU Defense1328.226.838.9%3.721.3 - - - - - 51%49%43%35%22%.22
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BALL Defense1328.432.549.4%3.931.5 - - - - - 54%45%47%54%13%.25
WMU Offense1332.53549.9%4.161.2254682142544.758%42%52%47%13%.31

Additional Stats 2021
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Ball State1327:3919.140%52%4.940.80.91.55.31.8130.5
Western Michigan1335:1724.846%46%6.858.91.21.37.53.3228.2
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BALL Offense1348%41%34.2129.63.817.143.0375%9%1.04
WMU Defense1351%43% - - - - .212.8271%16%1.17
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BALL Defense1354%47% - - - - .193.2778%9%0.91
WMU Offense1358%52%45.4214.14.731.283.5467%8%0.93

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BALL Offense1351%41%20.533.8207.66.110.1187.141.433%29%.176%1.8
WMU Defense1349%35% - - - - - - 4.231.835%26%.226%2
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BALL Defense1345%54% - - - - - - 15.41.327%31%.275%1.9
WMU Offense1342%47%17.928.3253.6914.2236.41.725%35%.476%2.2

Ball State's Power Ratings
Ball State's Power Rating: NR
Ball State's Offense Rating: NR
Ball State's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Ball State's 2021 Expected Record: -
Ball State's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.2  #108
Ball State's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.6  #106
Ball State's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.7  #109

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Ball State:    Western Michigan: 2.8

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ball State: -11.2   Western Michigan: 0.6




Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: 2.8 NR
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: NR
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #106
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Western Michigan's 2021 Expected Record: -
Western Michigan's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.6  #76
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1  #39
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.0  #91

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 482


Ball State Scoring
Offense: 24.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 28
Defense: 28.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.5

Ball State's 2021 Record
Record: 6 - 7
Record vs Spread: 4 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 9
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Western Michigan 32
Ball State 19


Total Points: 51

Based on Last 4 Games
Western Michigan 33
Ball State 11

Total Points: 44

Based on Entire Season
Western Michigan 32
Ball State 27

Total Points: 59
Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 32.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 35
Defense: 28.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.8

Western Michigan's 2021 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 1
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 5 - 1
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 3 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/11Western Michigan42Ball State0Western Michigan -9.5Western Michigan43.5Under
202410/05Ball State42Western Michigan45Western Michigan -10Ball State57.5Over
202309/30Western Michigan42Ball State24Western Michigan -1.5Western Michigan50.0Over
202209/10Ball State30Western Michigan37Western Michigan -6.5Western Michigan51.5Over
202110/09Western Michigan20Ball State45Western Michigan -13Ball State57.5Over
202012/12Ball State30Western Michigan27Western Michigan -2Ball State66.5Under
201911/05Western Michigan35Ball State31Western Michigan -6.5Ball State64.0Over
201811/13Ball State42Western Michigan41Western Michigan -10Ball State58.0Over
201709/30Western Michigan55Ball State3Western Michigan -13Western Michigan53.5Over
201611/01Ball State20Western Michigan52Western Michigan -16Western Michigan64.5Over
201511/05Western Michigan54Ball State7Western Michigan -13.5Western Michigan62.0Under
201410/11Ball State38Western Michigan42Ball State -6Western Michigan0
201310/19Western Michigan17Ball State38Ball State -21NA0
201210/13Ball State30Western Michigan24
201110/29Western Michigan45Ball State35
201010/09Ball State16Western Michigan45
200911/24Western Michigan17Ball State22
200811/25Ball State45Western Michigan22
200710/20Western Michigan23Ball State27
200610/21Ball State27Western Michigan41
200510/08Western Michigan57Ball State60
200409/25Ball State41Western Michigan14
200311/08Western Michigan28Ball State20
200211/02Ball State17Western Michigan7
200111/24Western Michigan31Ball State35
200011/03Ball State3Western Michigan42
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Western Michigan1478 Overs
Ball State1253 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams13 - 137 - 54 - 33 - 2
Road Teams13 - 135 - 72 - 33 - 4

(#) BALL at (#) WMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatBALLWMU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #108 #76
Perf GradeGrade #108 #45
OffenseOff #114 #18
DefenseDef #83 #88
Spec TeamsST #45 #134
TalentTal #116 #106
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Ball State on Offense
CategoryCat
BALL OffWMU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #114 #88
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #106 #91
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Ball State Run Game
CategoryCat
BALL OffWMU Def
Run GameRun #116 #88
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #108 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #121
Ball State Pass Game
CategoryCat
BALL OffWMU Def
Pass GamePass #93 #116
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #91 #7
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Western Michigan on Offense
CategoryCatWMU OffBALL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #18 #83
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #39 #109
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Western Michigan Run Game
CategoryCat
WMU OffBALL Def
Run GameRun #67 #83
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #24 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #25
Western Michigan Pass Game
CategoryCatWMU OffBALL Def
Pass GamePass #47 #105
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #26 #21
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
WMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'21 Profile: Remains Top G5

BALL 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'21 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Waldo Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 73° - Wind: 7 mph
Rain: 0.008
Rematch from Week 6
Western Michigan -13.0 (57.5)
Ball State won at Western Michigan this year (45-20)

Previous Matchups
Western Michigan beat Ball State last year (45-42)
Western Michigan beat Ball State in 2023 (42-24)
Western Michigan beat Ball State in 2022 (37-30)

  
BALL's OC Kevin Lynch (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Ball State's Full Roster

BALL's DC Tyler Stockton (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

WMU's OC Mike Bath (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Lou Esposito (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD