2026 MAC Football Week 4 Game Preview: Ball State Cardinals at Kent State Golden Flashes

Setting the scene

MACtion season is here.

The MAC opened the 2026 season with an unorthodox pairing of Eastern Michigan and Sacramento State, which is now a conference matchup. On Saturday, we'll have the first MAC matchup since when Ball State and Kent State clash in the noon slate.

Ball State has largely controlled the series with 25 wins in 33 tries, including each of the last four. However, Kent State gets the benefit of homefield advantage, and the Golden Flashes are 4-2 in their last six at Dix Stadium.

One team improves to 2-2 on Saturday with a head start in the MAC standings.

Game notes

• Time and date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Network: ESPN+
• Location: Dix Stadium in Kent, OH
• Spread: Kent State (-3)
• Over/under: 50.5
• All-time series: Ball State leads, 25-8
• Last meeting: Ball State 17, Kent State 13 (November 5, 2025)
• Current streak: Ball State, 4 (2022-25)

Ball State Cardinals outlook

Ball State (1-2, 0-0 MAC) doesn't know what a tightly-contested game feels like. The Cardinals were good in one-score games in year one under Mike Uremovich, winning three of four contests decided by six points or fewer. However, 2026 Ball State has been wrecked by Ohio State (56-3) and Liberty (51-15), while handling its FCS opponent Stony Brook (41-17).

This is Ball State's best litmus test of the season to determine its improvement. The Cardinals are led by a different cast of key contributors this year, and that starts at quarterback. Former SMU and Texas State quarterback Keldric Luster presents a unique 5'10", 250-pound build for the position, and he's shown flashes of potential. He won MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in Week 2 by going 27-of-32 with 256 yards and three touchdowns. Luster is a capable scramble has well and isn't afraid to hit the hurdle when necessary.

Luster finished with 100 passing yards in both losses though, and the most consistent part of the offense has been the run game. TJ Horton leads all MAC running backs with 208 yards after Week 3, and he's averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Horton will likely see his attempts skyrocket after an efficient performance against Liberty, and Jalen Bonds will occasionally enter to spot some carries.

The Cardinals are still searching for their No. 1 receiver, considering no player has more than 86 receiving yards on the season. Florida Atlantic transfer Jabari Smith Jr. (not the Houston Rockets' power forward) is certainly a candidate after his 72-yard showing in Ball State's lone victory.

While Ball State hasn't thrived in pass protection, the Cardinals have remained a solid pass rush. They generate 2.3 sacks per game, and it's been a concerted effort with eight different players earning a share of a sack. However, when they don't pressure the quarterback, problems have been abundant. Ball State is 133rd in scoring defense and 134th in total defense. Last week against Liberty, struggles were evident against both the pass and run as the Flames posted 460 yards and converted 10-of-13 third downs. Conversely, Ball State's offense managed 249 yards and converted 1-of-9 third downs.

Getting off the field will be a priority, and Ball State cannot allow Kent State to reestablish its explosiveness from 2025. Leading tackler Sterling Smith will be a key piece in the secondary when it comes to big-play prevention. Right now, Ball State has allowed the second-most 40-yard gains in the FBS at seven.

Kent State Golden Flashes outlook

Kent State (1-2, 0-0 MAC) has similarly struggled against FBS opponents, losing its two matchups by an aggregate score of 116-3. The Golden Flashes, which won five games last season under Mark Carney, still proved they remain well ahead of FCS competition with a 21-point win over Wofford sandwiched in between.

Getting a gauge on this Kent State team isn't easy since it hasn't played anyone similar in stature. The Golden Flashes return quarterback Dru DeShields, who was arguably the No. 1 reason for the team's five-win improvement from 2024 to 2025. The junior quarterback likely won't replicate his 18-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio from a year ago after posting a 1-to-3 mark in his first three starts, but he remains a capable downfield passer.

Kent State hasn't expand its offense vertically this season the way it did in 2025. Last season, the Golden Flashes were among the national leaderboards in explosive plays, generating six 50+ yard passes and two kick return touchdowns. This year, they've been inexplosive, having the second-fewest 10+ yard pickups in the FBS at 22.

The Golden Flashes are still working to establish new skill position stars. Wayne Harris has served as DeShields' go-to with team-highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (135), while reigning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year Da'Realyst Clark is earning more reps on offense and ranks second in both categories.

Despite the caliber of opponents in a small sample size, Kent State's rushing offense has improved year over year, currently averaging roughly 25 more yards per game. DeShields, despite three career ACL tears, has thrived as the team's leading rusher, while former Northern Illinois running back Mason Blakemore is emerging as the bellcow back.

As evidenced by two 56+ point losses, Kent State's defense could be in much better shape. The Flashes are 136th in scoring defense and 128th in total defense. There have been particular struggles against the pass, where teams are completing 70.5 percent of attempts and averaging 9.8 yards per dropback.

Kent State is countering some of its passing game struggles with interceptions, registering four picks through three weeks — two away from tying last season's total. Outside of turnover creation, the bright spot on the defense has been linebacker Rocco Nicholl. After spending 2025 at South Florida, Nicholl returned to campus and immediately regained status as the star of the unit. His 16 tackles rank second on the team, and he's the only Golden Flash with multiple sacks.

Prediction

How do you project a game when neither team has played a game within 21 points? This one probably unfolds in similar manner to last year's low-scoring 17-13 decision. Ball State has shown more firepower on offense so far with Keldric Luster having a near-perfect Week 2 and TJ Horton cementing himself as one of the MAC's top backs.

Kent State's offense needs to take more shots. It hasn't been the boom-or-bust offense it was in 2020s, and sustaining drives has been a challenge. The Golden Flashes should provide some resistance on defense, but Ball State ultimately prevails in a close one.

Prediction: Ball State 24, Kent State 22