Two straight wins
Ball State’s supplied results show wins at Bowling Green and at home against Sacramento State. The team entered the bye week after that second win, and its notes described Badie and Smith as expected back against Massachusetts.
College Football team briefing / WagerBird research desk
Ball State Cardinals
The matchup. The market. The case for your next move.
Results, schedule and game-day research ·
Season record2–5Won 2 straight
Against the spread4–2At the closing number
Last 5 games
LLLWW
Oldest to newest →Next matchup
Cardinals at Minutemen
Tonightat Minutemen6:00 PM CT 7:00 PM ET
Cardinals +3.5Total 49.5Cardinals ML +147Kalshi Cardinals 43¢ at 5:18 AM CT Wed 11/4Lines at 9:10 PM CT
Inside the game-day briefing
23Reported player statuses44Projected starters
Read the research and matchup notes Tonight’s Cardinals pick
Cardinals at Minutemen
Wed Nov 4 · 6:00 PM CT · 7:00 PM ET · released and locked
64
Signal strength
3 units
Signal strength 64, released before kickoff with its price locked.
64
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against the closing line
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Game-day research
Cardinals at Minutemen preview: what our research says
Ball State enters tonight at 2-5, with a 1-1 home record and a 1-4 road record. The Cardinals followed a 32-31 win at Bowling Green with a 34-17 home win over Sacramento State. Those results gave Mike Uremovich his first consecutive wins as Ball State’s head coach. The team is returning from a bye week.
Keldric Luster has resumed the starting quarterback role after his earlier injury absence. Against Sacramento State, he passed for 234 yards and ran for 68. His touchdown throws covered 65 and 55 yards. The current offensive chart also lists alternatives at running back and center, rather than a settled starter at every position.
The recent defensive improvement includes holding Sacramento State to 54 rushing yards. Ball State also recorded seven sacks across the Bowling Green and Sacramento State games. Cole Stumbaugh helped control field position against the Hornets, averaging 51.8 yards per punt and putting every punt inside their 20-yard line.
Availability remains provisional. The latest team notes expect Jared Badie and Sterling Smith back against Massachusetts, while DJ Fields is not expected to play after a leg injury. Tonight’s player-by-player report was still pending. Ball State also faces a Massachusetts offense whose quarterback, William Watson III, returned from an ankle injury. Published lineup projections are not confirmation that every listed player is medically cleared.
Season at time of writing
Ball State is 2-5, with a 1-1 home record and a 1-4 road record. The Cardinals’ wins were 34-17 over Sacramento State and 32-31 at Bowling Green; recent notes highlight Luster’s return and improved defensive results in those games.
The news
Luster back at quarterback
Keldric Luster returned to the starting role after an injury at Liberty and a missed game at Kent State. Against Sacramento State, he threw for 234 yards and ran for 68; the official game notes list alternatives at running back and center.
Defensive progress
The notes report seven sacks over the Bowling Green and Sacramento State games, following games without a sack against Kent State and Toledo. Against Sacramento State, the defense held the opponent to 54 rushing yards.
Game-day availability remains unsettled
The current injury report for the Massachusetts game was still pending. Ball State’s notes said Fields was not expected to play, while the Massachusetts notes report that Watson and William DePaepe had returned for the UConn game.
Injuries
Injury report as of : 19 Cardinals and 4 Minutemen on the report.
Cardinals
- Derek “DJ” FieldsLeg injury; missed the Sacramento State game and was not expected to play at Massachusetts.Out
- Tobi AdewoyinListed out on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Out
- Avery StuartListed out on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Out
- Gabe ArambolesListed out on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Out
- Lucas SzymborskiListed questionable on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Questionable
- Sam FeeneyListed questionable on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Questionable
- Nolan CiceroListed out on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Out
- Blake ScriberListed out on the latest Ball State availability report; no reason or return date was given.Out
- +11 more · full report in the Terminal
Minutemen
- Greg KlingensmithTraining-camp injury; out for the season.Out
- Zachary BettsTraining-camp injury; out for the season.Out
- Jordan WashingtonInjury not specified; ruled out for the rest of the season.Out
- Dallas ElliotRare form of cancer; will miss the remainder of the season.Out
The matchup
Cardinals projected starters
- Keldric LusterQB
- TJ Horton (RB; OR Jalen Bonds or Johnny Thompson Jr.)
- Jamarion McDougleWR
- Donovan HamiltonWR
- Jabari SmithWR
- Tate HooverTE
- Chris HoodLT
- Misael SandovalLG
- Grant Haworth (C; OR Jackson Ruess)
- Cole MosierRG
- Tristan CookRT
- Ben MarshDE
- Ka’Shawn ThomasNT
- Ameir GlennDT
- Jared BadieRUSH
- Gavin ForshaWLB
- Cincear LewisMLB
- Quentavius Scandrett (SNIPE)
- Will YatesLCB
- Deondre ShepherdSS
- Stone PerkinsS
- Anthony PinnaceRCB
Minutemen projected starters
- William Watson IIIQB
- Elijah FaulknerRB
- Joseph Griffin Jr. (WR-X)
- Jabari Lewis (WR-Z)
- T.Y. HardingSLOT
- Reece AdkinsTE
- Greg Knox IIILT
- Aitor UrionabarrenecheaLG
- Peyton MillerC
- Brock TaylorRG
- Jaxon KingRT
- Andrew DePaepeDE
- Tim Passmore Jr.NT
- Zakar MorrisDT
- William DePaepeEDGE
- Timmy HinspeterWLB
- Tyler MartinMLB
- DD SnyderSTAR
- Isaiah ReedLCB
- Zeraun DanielSS
- Kendall BournesFS
- TJ MageeRCB
Updated How we grade
Written by the WagerBird research team from our own results, line captures and graded picks. Updated . How we grade →
Cardinals at Minutemen odds and prediction markets
Sportsbook prices at 5:19 AM CTPrices as of : the Cardinals are +3.5 at five sportsbooks and the total is 49.5.
WagerBird earns a commission when you sign up through a sportsbook link on this page. That does not change the prices shown or which one is marked best. Offers are for new customers in states where each sportsbook is licensed; terms apply at the sportsbook.
Prediction markets
Prices at 5:18 AM CT Wed 11/4Kalshi and Polymarket on Cardinals at Minutemen
Cardinals to win costs 43¢ on Kalshi, against +142 at the best sportsbook (DraftKings). A Yes price in cents is the market’s chance in percent; Kalshi’s trading fee is extra.
| Market | Kalshi | Polymarket | Best sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals to win | 43¢43% chance | 41¢41% chance | +142DraftKings |
| Minutemen to win | 62¢62% chance | 62¢62% chance | −162Caesars |
| Cardinals +3.5 | 55¢55% chance | 54¢54% chance | +3.5 −115DraftKings |
| Over 49.5 total points | 52¢52% chance | 50¢50% chance | o49.5 −110FanDuel |
Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Spread | Money line | Total | Sign up | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | Minutemen | Cardinals | Minutemen | Over | Under | ||
| FanDuel | +3.5−118 | −3.5−104 | +138 | −166 | o49.5−110 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
| DraftKingsClaim the DraftKings new-customer offer | +3.5−115 | −3.5−105 | +142 | −170 | o49.5−112 | u49.5−108 | Sign up |
| BetMGMNJ MI PA WV: Bet $10 Get $150. All other states: $1500 Back in Bonus Bets if You Don't Win Code WAGERBIRD1 | +3.5−115 | −3.5−105 | +140 | −165 | o49.5−112 | u49.5−105 | Sign up |
| CaesarsBet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost Code WBIRD1DYW | +3.5−117 | −3.5−104 | +138 | −162 | o49.5−112 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
| FanaticsNew Customers Get Up To $1,000 Matched In FanCash | +3.5−115 | −3.5−105 | +140 | −169 | o49.5−110 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
BestGreen is the best price at the same line among these five sportsbooks. Prices as of 5:19 AM CT; they move until the start, and each sportsbook shows its live price before you confirm.
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Line movement
at Massachusetts MinutemenWed Nov 4 · 6:00 PM CT · 7:00 PM ET
Lines as of : the Cardinals spread is +3.5, where it opened; the total is 49.5, where it opened.
Cardinals spread+3.5+3.5No move
Total49.549.5No move
Cardinals team total23.523.5No move
Cardinals money line+152+147−5
Open, then now.
Results and against the spread
2–5 · 4–2 ATSRecord
2–5
Against the spread
4–2
Form, last 5
LLLWW
Last game
W 34-17vs Hornets
| Date | Game | Result | Spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10/24 | vs Sacramento State Hornets | W 34-17 | −14.5 | Covered |
| Sat 10/17 | at Bowling Green Falcons | W 32-31 | +6 | Covered |
| Sat 10/10 | at Northwestern Wildcats | L 14-45 | +35.5 | Covered |
| Sat 10/3 | vs Toledo Rockets | L 24-39 | +20.5 | Covered |
| Sat 9/26 | at Kent State Golden Flashes | L 13-26 | +2.5 | Missed |
Spread is the Cardinals’ closing number. ATS is against the spread at the closing number.
Schedule
vs BullsTue 11/10 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
at BobcatsTue 11/17 · 6:00 PM CT7:00 PM ET
vs ChippewasSat 11/28 · 11:00 AM CT12:00 PM ET
Our Cardinals picks, graded
How we workReleased
before kickoff, price locked at release
Locked
price and line at release, never changed
Graded
against the closing line
Cardinals questions, answered
Is there a Cardinals pick for this matchup?
Yes. Our Cardinals pick for Cardinals at Minutemen was released before kickoff at Signal strength 64. Unlock it in the Terminal.
What is the Cardinals' record this season?
The Ball State Cardinals are 2-5: 1-1 at home and 1-4 on the road.
When do the Cardinals play next?
The Cardinals visit the Massachusetts Minutemen on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 PM CT (7:00 PM ET).
Who is on the Cardinals injury report?
The Cardinals list Derek “DJ” Fields (Out), Sterling “Stu” Smith (Probable), Tobi Adewoyin (Out), Avery Stuart (Out), Gabe Aramboles (Out), Lucas Szymborski (Questionable), Jared Badie (Probable), Sam Feeney (Questionable), Nolan Cicero (Out), Blake Scriber (Out), Ryan Eldridge (Out), Khristian Zachary (Out), Zach Bandy (Out), Derion Talbert (Out), TJ Byard (Questionable), Ace Cooper (Out), Mason Riggins (Out), Cole Coonrod (Out), Sean Ward (Out), Mason Holbrook (Out), Kendrick Gilbert (Out).
What matters for the Cardinals against the Minutemen?
Ball State visits Massachusetts at 6:00 PM CT; Massachusetts is 2-4 in the supplied record. The latest game-day availability report was still pending, though Ball State’s notes expected Jared Badie and Sterling Smith to return and said Derek Fields was not expected to play; Massachusetts quarterback William Watson III and defensive lineman William DePaepe had returned for the UConn game, while the latest listed report still had other players out or questionable. Ball State’s recent notes point to the run game and a defense that allowed Sacramento State 54 rushing yards; Watson started at quarterback for Massachusetts against UConn.
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