Northwestern vs. Ball State: Betting odds, point spread and tv streaming

They’re also just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games overall. Ball State will counter with a true freshman quarterback in Riley Neal.

Coming into the 2015 season, who would have thought the Northwestern Wildcats would be ranked No. 17 and looking like a serious contender to challenge for a spot in the Big Ten title game while possibly winning the Big Ten West?

Northwestern (3-0, 0-0) has looked mightily impressive in its first three games this season.

Ball State has taken care of the two opponents it was supposed to beat, but the Cardinals had the unfortunate task of facing the much-improved Texas A&M Aggies in week two, falling 56-23. The freshman’s completion percentage is hovering around 50%, but the Northwestern ground game is keeping the scoring attack afloat.

Justin Jackson has been the real hero on offense, rushing for 332 yards and a touchdown, although his yards per carry average is sub-four.

Neal relieved starter Jack Milas early and was 24-of-28 passing for 194 yards and a touchdown. It marked the second kick return for a touchdown of his career and was the Wildcats’ first since his 89-yard return versus Illinois last season. Yes, first in the country, giving up only 5.3 points per game. The weakest, if weak is even a fair description, point of the Wildcat defense is stopping the run. The Wildcats are also 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games overall and 16-5 at the betting window in their last 21 games following an ATS win. Ball State’s ability to rush the football will have an enormous impact on the result of the matchup between MAC and Big 10. The Cardinals’ 278 rushing yards were the most against an FBS opponent since the 357 yards against Ohio in 2012. The trio of Cardinal tailbacks has accounted for 592 yards rushing and nine scores.

Last week’s 19-10 victory at Duke kept the Wildcats unbeaten and has them climbing the national rankings heading into a nonconference season finale against Ball State.