Ball State at Kent State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Ball State logo

Ball State Cardinals at Kent State Golden Flashes

Kent State logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH  (Mid-American)

 
Cardinals (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mike Uremovich (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 16 - 30 (10 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 2.6 - 9.4 (#111)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
BALL 2nd straight Road Game
KENT is playing their 4th straight game
BALL is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Kent State -7.5  (SP+ KENT -5)

Projected Score: BALL: 21 - KENT: 28 (49)
KENT Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
BALL Travel: 224 miles
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (26 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.5 - 8.5 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
 
Ball State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Ball State at Ohio State+39
Sat 9/12Ball State vs Stony Brook-0
Sat 9/19Ball State at Liberty+21.5
Sat 9/26Ball State at Kent State+7.5
Sat 10/3Ball State vs Toledo+15
Sat 10/10Ball State at Northwestern+28
Sat 10/17Ball State at Bowling Green+14.5
Sat 10/24Ball State vs Sacramento State+3.5
— Bye Week —
Wed 11/4Ball State at Massachusetts-3.5
Wed 11/11Ball State vs Buffalo+9.5
Tue 11/17Ball State at Ohio+14
Sat 11/28Ball State vs Central Michigan+12.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Ball State's Schedule
Kent State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Kent State at South Carolina+28.5
Sat 9/12Kent State vs Wofford-5
Sat 9/19Kent State at Ohio State+37
Sat 9/26Kent State vs Ball State-7.5
Sat 10/3Kent State vs Ohio+4
Sat 10/10Kent State at Western Michigan+14.5
Sat 10/17Kent State at South Florida+20.5
Sat 10/24Kent State vs Akron+0.5
Fri 10/30Kent State at Sacramento State+3.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Kent State at Bowling Green+9.5
Tue 11/17Kent State vs Miami (OH)+15
Tue 11/24Kent State at Eastern Michigan+9

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#134 (-)33% (136)15.834% (133)2.52 (130)13431% (133)1382.71 (132)#79 (.18)44% (106)29.847% (112)44% (97)3.57 (59)38.81.31.1
KENT#112 (.09)36% (126)21.336% (130)2.54 (129)9838% (111)1973.42 (98)#93 (.19)43% (86)33.644% (90)43% (77)4.29 (123)48.81.10.8
 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
BALL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BALL Offense1215.89.732.7%2.711.3152721341383.555%42%34%31%21%-
KENT Defense1233.620.642.9%4.290.8 - - - - - 51%47%44%43%14%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BALL Defense1229.835.744.5%3.571.1 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%14%.18
KENT Offense1221.326.236.4%3.421.11429598197352%46%36%38%18%.09

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Ball State1229:4414.734%53%4.738.81.31.14.61.8127.7
Kent State1227:4414.328%47%6.148.81.10.85.82328.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1255% (28)34% (133)37.8133.73.511 (88).03 (111)2.52 (130)58% (133)16% (136)1.09 (23)
KENT Defense1251% (89)44% (90) - - - - .16 (104)2.95 (78)67% (37)9% (80)1.02 (99)
 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 Defense1252% (99)47% (112) - - - - .16 (98)2.97 (83)63% (17)9% (99)1.03 (100)
KENT Offense1252% (45)36% (130)32.998.3310 (132)-.02 (127)2.54 (129)63% (117)13% (129)0.89 (103)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BALL Offense1242% (112)31% (133)1323.1138610.611 (114)8 (20)-.03 (136)1.6 (64)36% (132)22% (133).06 (130)5% (42)1.9 (89)
KENT Defense1247% (51)43% (77) - - - - - - 6 (75).26 (77)1.6 (83)32% (63)34% (122).35 (97)5% (122)1.9 (43)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BALL Defense1246% (39)44% (97) - - - - - - 9 (100).3 (93)1.6 (72)30% (101)32% (101).33 (89)5% (90)2 (64)
KENT Offense1246% (94)38% (111)13.624.4197.18.114.520 (61)6 (34).29 (49)1.9 (4)35% (121)24% (129).15 (120)5% (35)2.2 (17)

Ball State's Power Ratings
Ball State's Power Rating: -21.66  #137
Ball State's Offense Rating: 5.92  #132
Ball State's Defense Rating: 27.58  #136
2026 Talent Rating: 462.00  #109
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #104
Ball State's 2026 Expected Record: 2.6 - 9.4
Ball State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -25.2  #134
Ball State's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.2  #136
Ball State's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.7  #128

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Ball State: -21.66   Kent State: -15.92

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ball State: -25.2   Kent State: -20.1




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -15.92  #126
Kent State's Offense Rating: 7.52  #125
Kent State's Defense Rating: 24.26  #130
2026 Talent Rating: 462.00  #109
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Kent State's 2026 Expected Record: 3.5 - 8.5
Kent State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -20.1  #128
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.9  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.5  #127

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Ball State Scoring
Offense: 15.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 9.7
Defense: 29.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.7

Ball State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Kent State 28
Ball State 21


Projected Total Points: 49
Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.2
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

Kent State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/05Ball State17Kent State13Ball State -3Ball State48.5Under
202410/12Kent State35Ball State37Ball State -3Kent State58.0Over
202311/18Ball State34Kent State3Ball State -10.5Ball State41.5Under
202211/01Kent State20Ball State27Kent State -7Ball State61.5Under
201911/23Kent State41Ball State38Ball State -3Kent State67.5Over
201809/29Ball State52Kent State24Ball State -7Ball State62.0Over
201310/12Ball State27Kent State24Ball State -11Kent State0
201209/29Kent State45Ball State43
201010/30Kent State33Ball State14
200809/27Ball State41Kent State20
200611/24Ball State30Kent State6
200310/04Kent State17Ball State34
200111/10Ball State18Kent State31
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State433 Overs
Ball State943 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 45 - 23 - 22 - 0
Road Teams4 - 92 - 50 - 22 - 3

(#137) BALL at (#126) KENT
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatBALLKENT
Game ControlGC #135 #128
Momentum ControlMC #74 #135
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #137 #126
SP+SP+ #134 #128
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #109 #109
Blue ChipsBC% #104 #83
Ball State Notes
(3/4) Vibes: If this team wins 2 games I'll be shocked
(3/4) QB Luster (Tx St) taken 6 snaps, most exp'd QB
(3/4) RB Horton has some exp, rough unit on paper
(3/4) WR 2 exp'd starters (meh), 4 portal adds
(3/4) OL looks OK, 4 very exp'd starters, tons of bodies
(3/4) Def 13 portals need to help, esp 4 on a rough DL
(3/4) This is the worst Def on paper I've seen this year
Ball State Injury Report
Kent State Notes
(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report
Ball State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
BALL OffKENT Def
Game ControlGC #135 #114
Momentum ControlMC #127 #135
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #136 #86
ExplosiveExp #38 #88
PPAPPA #134 #93
PowerPwr #132 #130
SP+SP+ #136 #127
Pts POPPO #132 #123
HavocHav #135 #107
Ball State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
BALL OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #133 #90
Run ExplRExp #23 #99
PPAExp #111 #104
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #130 #78
Stuff RateStuff #123 #82
TackleTak - NR
Ball State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
BALL OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #133 #77
Pass ExplPExl #64 #83
PPAExp #136 #77
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #136 #80
DB HavocDB #42 #122
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffBALL Def
Game ControlGC #134 #133
Momentum ControlMC #87 #38
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #126 #106
ExplosiveExp #12 #70
PPAPPA #112 #79
PowerPwr #125 #136
SP+SP+ #125 #128
Pts POPPO #98 #59
HavocHav #117 #105
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffBALL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #130 #112
Run ExplRExp #103 #100
PPAExp #127 #98
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #129 #83
Stuff RateStuff #110 #41
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffBALL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #111 #97
Pass ExplPExl #4 #72
PPAExp #49 #93
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #129 #99
DB HavocDB #35 #90
Program Comparison
KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

BALL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Ball State beat Kent State last year (17-13)
Ball State beat Kent State in 2024 (37-35)
Ball State beat Kent State in 2023 (34-3)

  
BALL's OC Mike Uremovich (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Keldric Luster (Tr)1333%14004.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Horton6018003.013
Jalen Bonds277712.915
Johnny Thompson Jr. (Tr)197503.99
Elijah Jackson81702.17
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
CJ Nelson (Tr)22393317.975
Donovan Hamilton20244012.247
Jabari Smith15166311.137
TJ Horton157114.719

View Ball State's Full Roster

BALL's DC Jeff Knowles (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Willizhuan Yates320006
Tobi Adewoyin140000
Ameir Glenn133100
Deondre Shepherd131000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Gracio (Tr)42121
Ameir Glenn133100
Jared Badie (Tr)82140
Ben Marsh72100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Willizhuan Yates320006
Maverick Gracio (Tr)42121
Ameir Glenn133100

KENT's OC Clay Patterson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
Nolan Good51050%38003.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dru Deshields613830.615
Mason Blakemore93804.214
Maurice Stephens131131.031
Marques Hicks41804.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138
Terik Mulder19198410.450
Da'Realyst Clark3108136.089

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Cherokee Valeria (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joel Cordoba662011
Derrick Jackson481002
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
DJ Barnes282000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thomas Aden244210
Darian Blachewicz195201
Jaihien Roy153221
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Derrick Jackson481002
Joel Cordoba662011