2026 MAC Football Week 8 Game Preview: Sacramento State Hornets at Ball State Cardinals

The Ball State Cardinals (2-5, 1-2 MAC) are coming off a huge win for their program last week. The Sacramento State Hornets (1-6, 0-4 MAC) are still trying to find their footing as an FBS program in one of the most parity-filled MAC seasons we've seen in awhile. The two teams will face each other this week for the first time ever.

Even though the Cardinals prevailed last week, they still haven't proven enough to no longer be associated with the bottom of the conference. The Hornets have struggled to say the least, and as of now appear to be the worst team in the MAC.

This game has been embraced as a new-school rivalry by the fanbases of both Ball State and Sacramento State, giving its first edition some intrigue– especially with both sides absolutely needing to win out to qualify for the postseason bowl games.

With the amount of inconsistency seen on both sides, this is a perfect opportunity to steal a win.

Game notes

• Date and Time: Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
• Location: Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana
• Weather: Per MSN Weather, sunny, with a high temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.
• TV options: The game will stream nationally on ESPN+. A valid cable subscription is required.
• Radio/online: Mick Tidrow (play-by-play) and Chris Radican (color) will provide the Ball State call for WMUN-AM 1340. Sac State’s call features Jason Ross (play-by-play) and Steve McElroy (color) for ESPN 1320 and the Audacity app.
• Gambling Considerations: Ball State are 15.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 51.5
• All-Time Series: First meeting
• Special Event: Homecoming

Ball State outlook

The Cardinals are preparing for a return to Muncie this week for its annual homecoming game, giving them a much-needed refresh for the program after two tough road games against Northwestern and Bowling Green. To say last week's win wasn't imperative would be an understatement.

In an overtime effort, Ball State was able to prevail over Bowling Green with a 32-31 victory. Quarterback Keldric Luster had a monster performance against the Falcons last week, completing 16 of 24 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also added 17 rushes for 125 rushing yards and one rushing TD as well. His overtime heroics cliched the win, finding senior tight end Alex Scherle for the game-winning two-point conversion. Ball State as a program is sixth in the MAC in passing.

Ball State running back TJ Horton is nearly over 400 yards on the season and is averaging 6.6 yards per carry so far this season. His ability to utilize the blocks and burst through the outside has helped create a balanced offense alongside Luster, which has also elevated the team's ability to move the football on offense.

Ben Marsh and Layton Starks continue to be the most active on defense for Ball State at providing pressure on the opposing quarterback. They both are tied for the team-lead with two sacks. Kamron Chamble has been the most formidable defensive back and had another successful week against Bowling Green, still leads the team with two interceptions. As a team, the Cardinals are fifth in interceptions in the conference.

With a return to Scheumann Stadium, where head coach Mike Uremovich is 5-2, a friendly crowd should give the Cardinals some extra confidence heading into this match-up. Uremovich picked up his first road victory as the head coach of the Cardinals last week and looks to continue that momentum into this week.

Sacramento State outlook

After their victory over Mississippi Valley State back in early September, Sacramento State has fallen in five consecutive games, including three MAC contests.

As a fresh face to the conference, it hasn't been the ideal start for the program. After last week's embarrassing 48-7 loss at home to the Ohio Bobcats, the Hornets now have to travel over 2,000 miles to Indiana for a road game against a confident Ball State team.

There haven't been many bright spots for Sacramento State early on this season, with quarterback Jackson Sharman throwing six touchdowns but also six interceptions. They are currently fifth in the MAC in passing yards per game, but could be down to third-string QB Brian Salazar Jr. after Sharman suffered a late injiury vs. Ohio. As a team, they've only got four rushing TD's and by four different players. If they can find a way to get a big game from either Isaiah Ene or Daniel Swinney, the Hornets could see more production from the offense.

Led by senior safety Boogsie Silvera, Sacramento State also has the fourth-best pass defense in the MAC. He leads the team in tackles with 50 total tackles and is has the team's only interception on the season.

Both offensively and defensively, the Hornets have room for improvement. They rank in the bottom five in the conference in both rushing offense and rush defense. Linebackers Fata Puloka and Alex Rocha have been a couple solid performers for Sac State in the middle of the field, but the defensive line has failed to put any pressure on opposing QBs. With only eight sacks total as a team in seven games, they rank 12th in the MAC– only ahead of Akron.

With the combination of struggling to defend the run and also not being able to put pressure on the quarterback, it could be a rough afternoon for the Hornets if they can't get to Luster on defense. If they do, they have a chance to win their first MAC game in program history on the road and spoil Ball State's homecoming.

Game outlook

Sacramento State's struggles with defending opposing quarterbacks has to be something to watch going into this game. Luster has been one of the few impressive players for Ball State so far this season and is coming off a huge performance against Bowling Green. His dual-threat ability will challenge the Hornets much in the way Ohio's Nick Poulos did last weekend.

With two talented running backs on Sacramento State, it could be a week where they get the ball a little more frequently against a Ball State team that struggles to defend the run. This may not be the approach all game, but if the Hornets can establish a running game early and open things up for Sharman in the passing game and find his favorite targets this season, Matt Coleman (473 yards, four TDs) and Onterrio Smith Jr. (314 yards, TD), it could be a close game down the stretch and identical to last week's BSU-BGSU match-up.