Auburn vs. Ball State 2025: Keys to the Game and Predictions

It’s the Auburn Tigers vs. the Ball State Cardinals in a 2025 Week 2 matchup. The Tigers will look to continue their hot streak after beating Baylor in Week 1. Meanwhile, Ball State will look to bounce-back after an embarrassing loss to Purdue last week.

Auburn Tigers vs. Ball State Cardinals: Matchup History

Auburn and Ball State’s football programs are playing each other for the fourth time in history and the fourth time since 2001. Auburn has won the previous three matchups by an average margin of 38 points. The last game was a bit of a shootout, with a final score of 54-30.

In this fourth matchup, Auburn fans will be looking to see the passing game expand against Ball State. That’s because the Cardinals just allowed 340 passing yards and two passing touchdowns against Purdue. Ball State will look to stop Auburn’s ground game, but if they do so, their passing defense will definitely have to step up. The key players on both teams will have a huge impact in how this game goes.

Auburn vs. Ball State 2025: Keys to the Game and Predictions

Auburn Key Offensive Players

It’s impossible not to start this section without mentioning quarterback Jackson Arnold. Arnold currently leads the SEC in rushing yards, with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Against Ball State, Arnold will need to show decisiveness in the passing game, especially considering Ball State’s previous results against the pass.

For Arnold to have the success needed in the passing game, Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton are going to have to be key players as well. Coleman was limited to one catch for 23 yards, while Singleton was limited to three catches for 20 yards.

The main reason for that is because Baylor ran two-high safeties all night long. Because of that, Hugh Freeze and Jackson Arnold took what the defense gave them. This showed maturity from both of them. This is especially true for Hugh as play-caller, because he’s forced passing plays in the past.

Ball State Key Offensive Players

Ball State’s offense struggled against Purdue in Week 1, accounting for 87 passing yards and 116 rushing yards. The key player for the Cardinals is their senior quarterback and captain, Kiael Kelly.

Kelly went 10-of-16 passing for 87 yards without a touchdown or interception. He also ran the ball 22 times for 63 yards and led the team in rushing. It seems that as Kelly goes, this offense will go.

The other two key players for Ball State are running backs Qua Ashley and Elijah Jackson. Jackson is a key player because he appears to possess the speed and burst necessary to make game-changing plays. He only had one carry and one reception against Purdue. However, his one carry gained seven yards, and he led the team in receiving with 37 yards. For Ball State to compete, they should try to get the ball in Jackson’s hands more.

Ashley is important because it is clear he is a trusted part of the offense. The transfer running back was the only offensive player other than Kelly to have more than three touches on offense. Ashley also has a little bit of juice to him. While at Kennesaw State, Ashley averaged 9.1 yards per catch and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Ball State is going to run the ball, but the question is if Auburn stops that, will they be able to pass?

Auburn Key Defensive Players

Against Baylor, Auburn was able to stop the run with the depth of their defensive line. However, their pass defense was questionable. This week, Auburn has an easier matchup with Ball State, and the Tigers will need to see certain position groups step up.

The first key position group is the linebackers, specifically sophomore Demarcus Riddick. Riddick exploded onto the scene at the end of 2024 and had high expectations in 2025. So when he finished with two tackles and one pass deflection, it was a little unexpected. He should have a better game against Ball State, who’ll be looking to establish the run.

The next key player for Auburn’s defense is a bit ambiguous. Champ Anthony broke his thumb and will be out for at least two weeks, meaning that Auburn will have to fill his starting spot. And, that spot could be filled from freshman defensive back Eric Winters.

Winters played 16 snaps against Baylor and recorded three tackles. The coaching staff raved about Winters throughout fall camp, so expect his role to grow as the season goes starting with this game.

The second key player who could help fill in during the absence of Anthony is Rayshawn Pleasant. Pleasant showed his athleticism and ability against Baylor when he ran a kickoff back for a touchdown. Pleasant played 26 snaps on defense, and that could increase this week to help a struggling secondary.

Ball State Key Defensive Players

Ball State lost 31-0 against Purdue, leaving a lot to be desired on defense. The first key player for Ball State is senior linebacker Joey Stemler. Stemler was fourth on the team last year in total tackles and is already leading the team this year with five. His experience and nose for the ball will be huge if Ball State wants any chance to stop Auburn’s offense.

The second key player is senior defensive end Nathan Voorhis. Voorhis will have to fight through the offensive line to create pressure and maintain gap integrity. The senior will have to find a way to keep up the pressure and get at least one sack against Auburn.

Finally, sophomore defensive back Eric McClain is the final key player for Ball State. McClain yields a look to the future for the Cardinals. The sophomore was one of seven defensive backs to record two tackles. However, he also forced a fumble. As a freshman, he recorded 24 tackles, so he is continually building experience. McClain is going to have to cover one of Auburn’s extremely talented wide receivers, so his job is not easy. He will have to perform and perform well against an offense that is expected to throw more than they did against Baylor.

Auburn Keys to Victory

Auburn should win this game handedly. The talent gap is vast and will become apparent quickly. The key for Auburn is to lean into that.

Ball State is going to want to establish the run on offense, so Auburn will need to shut that down quickly to make Ball State one-dimensional. It’s the same success Purdue had against the Cardinals last week, and the Tigers should have success doing so this week.

Offensively, Auburn will look to expand their passing game. Jackson Arnold still needs to make good decisions and protect the ball. Meanwhile, the receivers need to force their will and get open. If the offensive line can protect Arnold, then Auburn should win.

Auburn Tigers: Recruiting Roundup

Unfortunately for Auburn, four-star EDGE Hezekiah Harris flipped to Tennessee. His decommitment dropped Auburn to 33rd in team rankings for 2026 recruiting.

Auburn has 18 visits planned from the 2026 class for this weekend including an “OV” from quarterback commit Peyton Falzone. An interesting story to follow will be four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle who is visiting this week. Toodle originally committed to Auburn then flipped to Georgia during the offseason. Out of the visits, 11 of the 18 are committed to other schools.

Auburn may have it’s leader of this class in Bralan Womack. If he can be the drumbeat of the class to help bring in other recruits, some of these recruits could flip back to the Tigers.

In the 2027 class, there are 13 visits scheduled for this weekend. None of those prospects are committed, but On3 has each prospect except one considering Auburn. If the Tigers can continue to show on the field what they did against Baylor, then the recruiting gets much easier for Hugh Freeze and company.