Ball State at Northwestern Week 6 College Football Matchup Ball State at Northwestern Matchup - Week 6
Sat, Oct 10 2026 · Week 6 · Turf
Ball State✈ 174 mi-1 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Ball State
8
Northwestern
36
P&R Line Northwestern -28
P&R Total O/U 43.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Northwestern has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Northwestern entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
Northwestern wins
Solid
Game Control
76%
Northwestern wins
Strong
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Northwestern · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Northwestern 2nd straight Home Game
Ball State 2026 Schedule
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
Northwestern 2026 Schedule
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northwestern vs South Dakota State-25.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Northwestern vs Colorado-4
Sat 9/26Northwestern at Indiana+25.5
Fri 10/2Northwestern vs Penn State+8
Sat 10/10Northwestern vs Ball State-28
Sat 10/17Northwestern at Michigan State-0
Sat 10/24Northwestern vs Rutgers-4.5
Sat 10/31Northwestern at Oregon+26.5
Sat 11/7Northwestern vs Iowa+8
Sat 11/14Northwestern at Ohio State+29
Sat 11/21Northwestern at Minnesota+6
Sat 11/28Northwestern at Illinois+9
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Northwestern PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Northwestern
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Northwestern
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Northwestern
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Ball State #134
+0.166
Northwestern #83
+0.331
Northwestern Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Ball State #136
+0.208
Northwestern #85
+0.517
Northwestern Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Ball State #105
0.140
Northwestern #83
0.150
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Northwestern Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Ball State #132
+6.078
Northwestern #116
+6.777
Northwestern Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Ball State #136
+0.780
Northwestern #57
+0.877
Northwestern Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Ball State #106
72.3
Northwestern #82
71.5
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Northwestern Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Northwestern Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Ball State #137
-21.7
Northwestern #74
-0.6
Offense Rating
Ball State #132
5.9
Northwestern #62
16.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Ball State #136
27.6
Northwestern #81
16.6
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Northwestern Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Ball State #127
0.27
Northwestern #26
1.67
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Ball State #38
0.82
Northwestern #44
0.67
Northwestern +1.39
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Northwestern Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Ball State #135
20.9
Northwestern #90
43.2
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Ball State #133
66.0
Northwestern #77
40.7
Northwestern +22.3
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Ball State
Mike Uremovich #121
4–8 (33%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Mike Uremovich Yr 2 #138
DC Jeff Knowles Yr 3 #138
Staff Rating
1.22 #138
Northwestern
David Braun #119
19–19 (50%) · Yr 4 at school
OC Chip Kelly Yr 1 #13
DC Tim McGarigle Yr 3 #62
Staff Rating
2.71 #69
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself