Buffalo vs. Ball State: MAC Showdown Set for Wednesday Night

Buffalo travels to Ball State on Wednesday night for a Mid-American Conference game that carries weight in the league race. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff has drawn wide interest, with the Bulls trying to extend a four-game winning streak. Buffalo is one game behind Ohio atop the MAC standings, while Ball State sits two games behind Buffalo.

Recent form for both teams

Buffalo lost three of its first five games this season but has won four straight since. The Bulls have taken their last three wins by a single possession, including a 34-31 overtime victory at Miami (OH) on November 3. Buffalo trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter of that game before wide receiver Chance Morrow finished with 199 receiving yards.

Quarterback Jason Wright has been a central figure in that run. He threw for 358 yards and two touchdowns against Miami (OH) and added two rushing touchdowns. Buffalo has averaged 28.3 points per game during its winning streak and is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games, according to CBS Sports.

Ball State's two-game winning streak ended in a 31-30 overtime loss at Massachusetts last week. A missed extra point decided the result. Freshman running back Jalen Bonds rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns in that defeat. The Cardinals are 2-3 in MAC play, three games behind Ohio, which is 5-0 in the conference.

Head-to-head history and betting lines

Ball State holds an 11-3 edge in the all-time series between the programs. Buffalo won the most recent meeting 51-48 in 2024. Sportsbooks have listed Buffalo as a road favorite, though the reported spread differs by source: CBS Sports cited 1.5 points in one preview and 2.5 points in another, with the over/under at 51.5. Buffalo's money line was reported at -115 and Ball State's at +106.

CBS Sports also cited the SportsLine Projection Model, which predicts a 31-25 Buffalo win and a cover in 59% of simulations. Projections like this are model outputs, not results, and the game will settle the matter on the field.

What to watch on Wednesday

The matchup pits Buffalo's close-game form and Wright's passing against a Ball State offense led by Bonds on the ground. Both teams have shown they can win and lose in tight finishes this season, so special teams execution and late-game decisions could shape the outcome.

Buffalo's position in the conference race makes this a key game for both sides. A win would strengthen its claim near the top of the MAC standings, while a Ball State upset would shake up the chase behind Ohio. Final results and any official statistics will be available after the game.