The 2002 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season.

The Cardinals were led by eighth-year head coach Bill Lynch.

The Cardinals played their home games at Ball State Stadium as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

After the season, Lynch was fired as the Cardinals' head coach.

Despite finishing the season with a 6-6 record, the Cardinals did not participate in a bowl game.