Coming off a thunderous 34-13 victory over Penn State in the New Ryan Field opener last week, Northwestern (3-1, 1-1 B1G) is set to play its third and final non-conference game on Saturday against Ball State (1-4, 0-2 MAC). The game will kickoff at 11:30 a.m. CDT and be televised on Big Ten Network.
Here’s the Inside NU staff’s outlook for the game:
Charlie Jacobs (56-13 Northwestern)
Northwestern is going to blow Ball State out. It’s that simple. The Wildcats opened as 34.5-point favorites for a reason.
I’d be shocked if Northwestern loses, let alone this game be close. Northwestern dominated Penn State (who may not be as good as people thought), and I think this is the game to experiment with different looks and to see what the younger, more inexperienced guys have, especially with the harder part of the schedule still a few weeks out.
Jackson Pick (48-9 Northwestern)
The Wildcats are hot off of a dominant win over Penn State and Ball State is situated as the perfect opponent to keep the momentum rolling. Northwestern racked up over 400 rushing yards against PSU and now find the nation’s fourth-worst rushing defense coming to town in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Combine that with the Cardinals having to come face-to-face with a stout Wildcat defensive front that’s only given up 16 points per game against Power Four competition, and you have yourself another recipe for a comfortable NU victory. Expect Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II to once again run roughshod as the ‘Cats take care of business and secure a Homecoming victory.
Kussh Mital (51-13 Northwestern)
It’s a tale as old as time. A team makes a statement win, making fans around the nation take notice. The week after the statement, the schedule presents an opponent that should face no real threat. But alas, they do. It is the oh so famous “trap game.” It would be easy to look at Northwestern’s matchup against Ball State as exactly that, but it won’t be. Northwestern got just as dominant of a win as you could have against Penn State, with the highlight being the over 400 yards of rushing offense. Now Northwestern gets to play against one of the worst teams in the nation. This game is mostly going to serve as a way to reinforce the things the ‘Cats want to do against tougher competition later in the season. Northwestern by whatever it wants.
Donovan West (41-10 Northwestern)
I was the lone doubter of Northwestern last week, but I’m not going to make that mistake again. There was a different energy around the program last Friday night, and there’s no reason to think anything will change. Komolafe and Himon II finally had the breakout game against Penn State, helping Northwestern rush for 413 yards on the day, and the Ball State matchup projects for them to do more of the same. Toledo rushed for 352 yards as a team last week on the Cardinals, as Ball State has struggled against the run all year. Chiles will take a back seat yet again and practice his hand-offs as his deadly running-back duo carves up the Cardinals.
Calvin Kaplan (48-6 Northwestern)
Even before the season, Northwestern fans chalked up this Ball State game as a safe win, and there’s no reason for those expectations to change now. The Wildcats are vastly superior to the Cardinals all-around, and NU’s offense and defense have both come into full form at the right time. Ball State — a team that sits at 1-4 after multiple double-digit losses to Group of Five squads — has almost no chance to win, although I do think the Cardinals will find a way to capitalize on a Northwestern mental mistake to avoid getting completely shut out on offense. Overall, though, the Wildcats will stay sharp.
Ben Levy (56-7 Northwestern)
When a defense allows fewer than 15 points in a game against two power four teams, it’s tough to imagine that same defense allows double digits to a team that scored fewer than 15 points against Mid-American Conference bottom-feeder Kent State. On offense, the only way Aidan Chiles and Northwestern score fewer than 50 is if they take their foot off the gas in the second half. From what we’ve seen from coach David Braun and the context of this team being on the brink of the AP Top 25, there’s no way the offense is anything but pedal to the medal for the full hour. This is the perfect game for the Wildcats to show they can take care of business while keeping the bigger teams on the horizon at the top of their mind.
Zac Penson (45-14 Northwestern)
Proving themselves right last week against Penn State transitioned Northwestern to a football school. For real. With a legitimate chance of making the playoffs, this team is something opponents should not take lightly. This is a form of Northwestern football that hasn’t taken shape in quite some time. With momentum in the Big Ten shifting towards the ‘Cats — who are just barely being ranked out of the top 25 — this win should be inevitable for the Wildcats to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Whitley Williams (49-15 Northwestern)
Ball State is the type of matchup football coaches dream about.
Northwestern football has established its identity as a dominant rushing attack and a consistently strong defense. Now they must continue its pursuit of a potential playoff berth.
Ball State has shown immense struggle to stop the run. The Cardinals’ allowed 352 rushing yards against Toledo. Meanwhile, Northwestern eclipsed 400 rushing yards against Penn State. It’s the most for the Wildcats since running for 444 yards against Illinois in 2003 per On3.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and the running back room are primed for another opportunity to showcase their talents. The electric duo of Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe played their best brand of football in the new Ryan Field. Perhaps it’s Gavin Sawchuk’s turn to break out.
The Northwestern defense put on a clinic against Penn State. This matchup will be a good opportunity for the secondary to get more reps in lieu of injuries.
The ‘Cats have been presented with the opportunity to put on a show in Ryan Field.
Staying focused and being consistent is key.
Adam Sutro (38-6 Northwestern)
Just a week ago, NU’s defense surrendered just one touchdown to Penn State, one of the Big Ten’s powerhouse programs. Meanwhile, the 1-4 Ball State Cardinals have been held to two or less touchdowns in three of its five games so far this season: scoring 13 points against Kent State, 15 points against Liberty and three points against Ohio State. This is just simply a lopsided matchup: the ‘Cats have a major talent and skill advantage.
David Braun’s side has an extra day of rest and has been playing with high confidence and belief: the Cardinals will pose no challenge.
