Ball State vs Stony Brook Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 2 on 9/12/2026

In Week 2 of the 2026 College Football season, the Stony Brook Seawolves are set to travel to Muncie, Indiana to play against the Ball State Cardinals. The game will be held at Scheumann Stadium on Saturday, September 12th, with a kickoff time of 2:00 PM, and fans can catch the action on ESPN+. Both teams are coming off losses from their season openers and will be eager to secure their first win of the year.

Stony Brook began their season with a tough road game against San Diego State, suffering a 42-0 loss. The Seawolves struggled offensively, managing only 46 passing yards and 49 rushing yards. With no turnovers in their previous game, they will aim to build on that discipline as they face Ball State.

Ball State also opened their season on a challenging note, falling to Ohio State with a 56-3 defeat. The Cardinals were limited to 120 passing yards and just 46 rushing yards in their opener. Playing at home this week, Ball State looks to capitalize on their familiarity with Scheumann Stadium to turn their early-season misfortune around.

Ball State vs Stony Brook At a Glance

• Game Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
• Venue: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, IN
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Stony Brook Record: 0-1 overall
• Ball State Record: 0-1 overall
• Game Odds: Ball State is favored with a moneyline of -853

Ball State Cardinals: Analyzing Their Performance and Prospects

Offensive Challenges

Ball State's offense is off to a sluggish start this season, with only 3 points scored in their opener against Ohio State. Ranking 58th in points for, their passing game is struggling, posting just 120 yards, which places them at 122nd. The rushing attack is even more concerning, as they are ranked 127th with only 46 yards on the ground.

The offense managed to secure 13 first downs, ranking them 31st, indicating some ability to move the chains despite the overall struggle. Quarterback Keldric Luster completed 33 attempts for 89 yards, but the lack of touchdowns remains a critical issue. Backup QB Tyler Mizzell also saw limited action, contributing 31 passing yards.

Defensive Performance

The defense faced a tough challenge against Ohio State, allowing 56 points, placing them 47th in points against. However, the defense showed promise with 2 sacks, ranking 6th, and an interception, positioning them 2nd. They didn't recover any fumbles, a category where they are ranked 3rd.

On the defensive line, the Cardinals have demonstrated potential, but improving their ability to prevent scoring will be key moving forward. With players like Tobi Adewoyin uncertain due to injury, depth and health on defense could impact their upcoming performances.

Key Players and Injuries

Running back Elijah Jackson leads the ground game with 20 rushing yards, but the team's overall rushing rank remains low. Wide receiver Elisha Durham had a standout performance with 26 receiving yards, the highest among the team's receivers. On the injury front, offensive line uncertainties loom large with Cole Mosier, Zach Bandy, and Ryan Eldridge all questionable for the next game.

Their absence could further affect the offensive line's performance, which struggled in the opener. Tight end Tate Hoover was the leading receiver with 5 receptions for 20 yards, showing his potential as a reliable target. The team's kicker, Brody Boehm, successfully made a field goal, contributing the only points in their recent game.

Upcoming Games

Ball State will play their next game at home against the Stony Brook Seawolves, providing an opportunity to regroup and improve their performance. This matchup at Scheumann Stadium will be crucial for the Cardinals to bounce back and secure a win. Following that, they face Liberty Flames away, and later, Ohio Bobcats and Central Michigan Chippewas in November.

These upcoming games provide a mix of home and away challenges, testing Ball State's resilience and adaptability. As the season progresses, maintaining a healthy roster and improving offensive execution will be essential for success.

Team Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2023–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
• ATS - Home Games: Last 14 Games (2023–2025) → 12-2 (85.7%)
• O/U - All Games: Last 3 Games (2025–2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2025–2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
• ATS - As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2023–2025) → 5-1 (83.3%)
• SU - Home Games: Last 5 Games (2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)

Stony Brook Seawolves: Striving for a Breakthrough in the Upcoming Game

Quarterback Overview

Chris Zellous is a key player for Stony Brook, having attempted 15 passes in their most recent game. His performance, however, yielded only 21 passing yards, a number that reflects room for improvement. Another quarterback, Casey Case, attempted 10 passes and managed 25 passing yards, showcasing a similar need for increased offensive production.

Running Back Analysis

Roland Dempster is the leading force in the rushing department, accumulating 49 yards in the last game. Despite his efforts, the team still struggled to establish a solid ground game. Ikaika Ragsdale and Shakhi Carson also contributed, with Ragsdale rushing for 14 yards and Carson for 2 yards.

Samuel Archie Cooper had a limited impact with no rushing yards recorded in the previous game. The running game will need to find its rhythm to support the offensive strategy effectively.

Wide Receiver Contributions

Dez Williams stands out among the receivers, capturing 3 receptions for 26 yards in the recent outing. Marqeese Dietz and RJ Lamarre added to the receiving efforts with 2 receptions for 8 yards and 1 reception for 4 yards, respectively. The receiving corps will aim to create more opportunities downfield in the upcoming game.

Tight End Role

Rayden Aphayvong, the team's tight end, did not record any receptions in the last game. His role in the passing game remains crucial for the Seawolves as they aim to diversify their offensive plays. A more involved tight end could help open up options for the quarterbacks.

Defensive Insights

On the defensive side, Stony Brook has faced challenges, allowing 42 points in their recent game. The defense did not record any interceptions or fumble recoveries, indicating an area needing attention. Improvement in defensive tactics could play a significant role in their upcoming performance.

Injury Impact

Jeremiah Coney, a running back for Stony Brook, is currently out with an undisclosed injury. His absence might affect the depth and versatility of the rushing attack. The team will need to adapt its strategy to compensate for this loss.

Team Betting Trends

• ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 1-2 (33.3%)
• O/U - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 1-2 (33.3%)
• ATS - All Games: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• O/U - All Games: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• ATS - As Underdog: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• O/U - As Underdog: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• ATS - Away Games: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• O/U - Away Games: Last 5 Games (2021–2025) → 1-4 (20.0%)
• SU - All Games: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - As Underdog: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - After Loss: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• ATS - After Loss: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• O/U - After Loss: Last 3 Games (2023–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)
• SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 3 Games (2021–2025) → 0-3 (0.0%)

Ball State vs Stony Brook Prediction: Under 56.5

The Ball State Cardinals and Stony Brook Seawolves are both coming off significant losses. Ball State's offense only put up three points in their previous game, while Stony Brook was shut out by San Diego State, failing to score. This suggests that both teams may struggle offensively in their upcoming game.

The Cardinals' defense allowed 56 points in their last outing, but they face a much less formidable opponent in Stony Brook, who managed no points in their recent game. Given the Seawolves' offensive struggles, Ball State's defense should perform better, limiting Stony Brook's scoring opportunities.

Past trends also indicate a likelihood of a low-scoring game. Stony Brook's games have gone under the total in four of their last five, and their offense has been ineffective, particularly on the road.

Considering the offensive limitations of both teams and recent trends, the pick is to go under the total of 56.5 points. The projected final score is Ball State 35 - Stony Brook 10, which supports the under pick.

• Ball State vs Stony Brook Prediction: Under 56.5
• Ball State vs Stony Brook Score: Ball State 35 - Stony Brook 10

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