TV/radio: 7 p.m. Saturday; BTN, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Northwestern by 19 1/2.
Records: Ball State 2-1; Northwestern 3-0.
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Last meeting: First meeting.
On the offensive: Justin Jackson has led the Wildcats in rushing for 15 straight games, though he’s averaging less than 4 yards per carry this year. NU has converted 8 of 10 red-zone opportunities.
Getting defensive: Anthony Walker has been named Big Ten defensive player of the week twice in the first three weeks. The Wildcats have given up just one touchdown and lead the nation with 5.3 points allowed per game.
The number: 16. Points Northwestern has allowed, its fewest through three games since 1948, when NU held UCLA, Purdue and Minnesota to 16.
The talk: The Wildcats have ascended to 17th in the AP poll and look to improve to 20-2 in September since the start of 2010.
Fred Mitchell’s pick: The Wildcats are 18-10-1 against current members of the Mid-American Conference. Win No. 19 appears likely. Northwestern 31, Ball State 13.