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Ball State vs. Northern Illinois preview: Predictions, and odds for rivalry game

Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY
·4 min read
Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Rocky Lombardi passes the ball during the game against the Boston College Eagles.
Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Rocky Lombardi passes the ball during the game against the Boston College Eagles.

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.

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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