Massachusetts Minutemen defeat Ball State Cardinals 31-30: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Wed, Nov 4, 2026 · NCAAF · Ball State Cardinals 30, Massachusetts Minutemen 31
The Massachusetts Minutemen beat the Ball State Cardinals 31-30 in overtime on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The Ball State Cardinals covered the spread as 2.5-point underdogs. The game went over the closing total of 49, with 61 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen final score and game recap
The Ball State Cardinals led 7-0 after the first quarter. The Massachusetts Minutemen won the second quarter 14-3 to lead 14-10 at halftime. The Ball State Cardinals outscored the Massachusetts Minutemen 14-10 in the second half. It was tied 24-24 at the end of regulation. The Massachusetts Minutemen won it in overtime.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Jalen Bonds (Ball State Cardinals): 17 carries for 132 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Keldric Luster (Ball State Cardinals): 17/27 passing for 182 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- William Watson III (Massachusetts Minutemen): 17/25 passing for 302 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- Jabari Lewis (Massachusetts Minutemen): 2 catches for 78 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen?
The Ball State Cardinals covered the spread as 2.5-point underdogs, losing by 1 point.
The spread opened at Massachusetts Minutemen -3.5 and closed at Massachusetts Minutemen -2.5.
Did Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen go over or under the total?
The game went over: 61 points combined against a closing total of 49, over by 12.
The total opened at 49.5 and closed at 49.
How did AiQ's Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
- Moneyline: the Massachusetts Minutemen to win at -142, a win (+$70.42 on a $100 bet).
Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen game prop results: first half, first quarter and team totals
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-half total 23.5: the over, paying -125, with 24 points scored.
- First-quarter total 9.5: the under, paying +100, with 7 points scored.
- First-half spread: Massachusetts Minutemen -0.5 covered, paying -112.
- Ball State Cardinals team total 23.5: the over, paying -115, with 30 scored.
- First-quarter moneyline: Ball State Cardinals won the first quarter, paying +110.
- Massachusetts Minutemen team total 25.5: the over, paying -115, with 31 scored.
- First-half moneyline: Massachusetts Minutemen won the first half, paying -125.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Massachusetts Minutemen odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Ball State Cardinals at +119 and the Massachusetts Minutemen at -144. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Massachusetts Minutemen a 56% favorite. The Massachusetts Minutemen won as the favorite at -144: $69.44 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Massachusetts Minutemen, the price before the game was -142: priced below fair (−4.0% value).
The spread moved toward the Ball State Cardinals between the open and the close, and they covered. The total moved down from 49.5 to 49, and the game went over.
Ball State Cardinals and Massachusetts Minutemen betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Ball State Cardinals 3-6 in the 2026 regular season (2-1 at home, 1-5 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 5 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 6 times and under 2 times.
This result left the Massachusetts Minutemen 5-4 in the 2026 regular season (3-2 at home, 2-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 4 of 9 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 3 times and under 5 times, with 1 push.
What's next for Ball State Cardinals and Massachusetts Minutemen?
Next for the Ball State Cardinals: the Buffalo Bulls at home on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Next for the Massachusetts Minutemen: at the Toledo Rockets on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.