A couple of schools that like to feature their running games, Bobcats of Ohio (-7) are set to welcome their conference foe Kent State Golden Flashes to Peden Stadium. The afternoon game gets underway at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Bobcats
Kent State is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 7 points in this MAC game. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to wager $300 in order to win $100 back on the Bobcats (-300). The Golden Flashes are getting +220 moneyline odds. There could be multiple solid live betting possibilities in the game, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 59.5 points.
This game’s line opened at -8, while the over/under has not moved after it was initially set at 59.5.
The Golden Flashes are 3-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 3.0 units so far in 2019. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-4.
The Bobcats have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 4.5 units. They’re 1-5 ATS and have an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Golden Flashes are 3-3 straight up (SU), including 2-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Bobcats are 2-4 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
The Golden Flashes are coming off a resounding 26-3 win over Akron last week where the defense allowed the Zips to pass for 202 yards and rush for 95 yards. Nate Stewart had a good day for the Zips in that one with 71 yards on four catches. On the offense, Dustin Crum completed 16-of-21 passes for just 149 yards and one touchdown. Will Matthews (126 yards on 25 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Crum (82 yards on 14 carries) led the ground attack. Isaiah McKoy (seven receptions, 80 yards, one TD) and Antwan Dixon (five catches, 38 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Ohio narrowly came up short in a 39-36 shootout to Northern Illinois. The defense allowed the Huskies to pass for 341 yards while rushing for 169 yards and three scores. Cole Tucker had a good showing, posting 118 yards on eight catches for Northern Illinois. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed 19-of-31 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Rourke (80 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) and O’Shaan Allison (79 yards on 11 carries) handled the running game while Shane Hooks (seven receptions, 131 yards, one TD) and Ryan Luehrman (four catches, 53 yards, one TD) led the Ohio pass-catchers in the loss.
Kent State’s run the ball on 59.6 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 62.7 percent across possessions in conference play. Ohio has an overall rush percentage of 55.5 percent, and has kept it on the ground 60.9 percent of the time when playing MAC opponents. The Golden Flashes have produced 170.8 rush yards/game (including 304 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have five touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bobcats are putting up 167.2 rush yards per game (182 in conference) and have 12 total rushing TDs.
The Golden Flashes offensive scheme has tallied 181.5 yards/contest in the air overall (262 per game against conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Bobcats have put up 212 pass yards per game (208 in the MAC) and have nine total pass scores.
Defensively, Kent State seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 247.8 yards and pass for 202.5 yards per game. The Ohio defense has allowed 260 yards per game to opposing passers and 197.3 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Flashes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 6.92 to opposing QBs, while the Bobcats have allowed a 7.83 ANY/A.
Offensively, Crum is up to 846 passing yards this season. He’s connected on 77-of-107 attempts with six scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. He has a 7.56 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.26 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, Nathan Rourke has managed to complete 83-of-143 passes for 1,115 yards, eight TDs and three INTs. Rourke’s ANY/A sits at 6.94 for the season and 6.66 over his past two outings.
When these two programs faced each other last year, Ohio emerged victorious by a score of 27-26.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Ohio Bobcats Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Ohio, ATS Winner: Ohio, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Kent State defense has sacked opposing QBs 16 times this year. Ohio has registered just seven sacks.
- Both offenses have lost five fumbles this season.
- The Golden Flashes offense has produced four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Bobcats have accounted for three such plays.
- Both defenses have allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards and 12 pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Kent State offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Ohio has created nine such runs.
- The Golden Flashes defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Bobcats have given up 12 such runs.
- The O/U for Ohio’s last matchup going into it was 51.5. The over cashed in the 39-36 loss to Northern Illinois.
- In its last three games, Ohio is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three games, Kent State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Kent State’s last game going into it was 56.5. The under cashed in the team’s 26-3 victory over Akron.
- As a team, Kent State has produced 5.4 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.9 over its last two.
- Ohio has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.5 over its last two.
