Ball State and Auburn are set to clash in a Week 2 non-conference matchup, with the game set to take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Both programs are coming off completely different outcomes in their respective season openers, as the Cardinals were shutout by Purdue 31-0 and Auburn knocked off Baylor on the […]
Ball State and Auburn are set to clash in a Week 2 non-conference matchup, with the game set to take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Both programs are coming off completely different outcomes in their respective season openers, as the Cardinals were shutout by Purdue 31-0 and Auburn knocked off Baylor on the road 38-24.
Ahead of Week 2’s matchup, the early point spread and more have been revealed. All odds are courtesy of BetMGM. The Tigershave opened as a 43.5-point favorite over Ball State. The over/under is set at 55.5.
These programs last met in 2009, which marked the third meeting ever between the two programs. Auburn held off Ball State 54-30 in a high-scoring affair, thanks to a monster performance by quarterback Chris Todd. Todd completed 19/26 passes for 287 yards and five touchdowns.
How to watch Ball State at Auburn
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPNU
Location: Auburn, AL
It had been a rough five-year stretch for Auburn, which went just 28-33 with an 0-3 bowl game record from 2020-2024. The Tigers however experienced a return to form in their season opener as they put the entire college football world on notice with a strong performance against the Bears.
Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold, who was likely the biggest question mark at the quarterback position in the entire SEC, shined with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns (including the game-sealing 27-yard score with 4:32 remaining in the game). Auburn dominated on the ground, as it totaled 308 yards and had three different players total at least 50 rushing yards (Arnold, Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb).
Ball State allowed just 93 rushing yards on 30 attempts (3.1 AVG) to Purdue, but got shredded in the passing game. Boilermaker quarterback Ryan Browne dotted the Cardinal defense for 311 passing yards and two touchdowns. Arnold’s emphasis in Auburn‘s season opener was the run-game, but look for him to really get comfortable in the passing game in this one.
Many might chalk this game up as an automatic win for Auburn, but the Tigers have struggled with non-conference unranked teams in recent history. In Hugh Freeze‘s first season in 2023, Auburn fell at home to New Mexico State 31-10 one week after running Arkansas off the field. Last season, The Tigers fell victim at home to California 21-14 in their second game of the season.
Category: General Sports
