When you look at MAC stats, using Conference games only balances things out because you are looking at games against common opponents. Using full season stats, one team might play Arizona State, Auburn, and Wisconsin, while another team plays Illinois, Troy, and UMass. Anyway, here's a link to the Conference Game Only stats:
https://getsomemaction.com/stats.aspx?path=football&year=... Offensively, Ohio is 4th at 34.0 points a game, while Ball State is second, at 36.0 per game. Ohio is averaging slightly more yardage, at 450.0 per game compared to 433.3 for Ball State, but the balance is different. Ohio has 757 yards passing (9.5/attempt) and 593 rushing (4.7/carry), while Ball State has 805 Rushing (5.1/carry) and 495 Passing (7.9/attempt).
Defensively, there is a huge difference. Ball State is giving up only 19.0 points a game, while Ohio is giving up 32.3. As far as yardage, Ball State is giving up 356 yards a game, 374 Rushing (3.7/carry) and 695 passing (5.9/attempt). Ohio is giving up 455 yards a game, and has given up 564 rushing (5.0/carry) and 800 passing (8.2 per attempt). The biggest difference is in Pass Efficiency Defense, where Ball State leads the conference at 92.9, while Ohio is 10th at 155.4.
Offensively the teams are similar, though Ohio throws more, while Ball State relies more on it's rushing attack. Defensively, however, there is a huge difference. Ball State, statistically, has the 2d best defense in the conference, while Ohio has the tenth best.
To win, Ohio's offense will have to continue to improve, and manage to score a lot of points against a very good defense. Defensively, Ohio really needs to start playing like they did at the end of last year.