In a battle of two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Lance Leipold and the Buffalo Bulls (-23) are gearing up to welcome their MAC rival Kent State Golden Flashes at UB Stadium. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET and ESPNU is scheduled to televise the action.
Betting Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls
Kent State is a heavy live dog here and is currently getting 23 points from oddsmakers. The over/under for this game has not yet been determined. Multiple good live betting opportunities might exist during this game.
The Golden Flashes are 6-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.0 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 3-6.
The Bulls have been a pleasant surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 5.0 units. The team is 7-2 ATS and the over has hit in six of its games.
The Golden Flashes are a lousy 2-7 straight up (SU), including 1-4 SU against conference opponents. The Bulls are 8-1 SU overall and 5-0 SU in conference play.
The Golden Flashes just put together a 35-28 win over Bowling Green last week. Woody Barrett completed 14-of-24 passes for only 157 yards and two touchdowns. Jo-el Shaw (128 rushing yards on 26 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Barrett (77 yards on 17 carries, one TD) led the running attack. Antwan Dixon (six receptions, 73 yards, one TD) and Isaiah McKoy (three catches, 26 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
The Buffalo Bulls are coming off of a 51-42 win over Miami (OH). The defensive unit allowed the RedHawks to pass for 313 yards while rushing for 140 yards and five scores. Kenny Young had a productive outing in the defeat for Miami (OH), accounting for 39 rushing yards on nine attempts, along with 95 yards on five catches. For Buffalo, Tyree Jackson completed 20-of-34 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns. Jaret Patterson (96 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Jackson (22 yards on 10 carries, three TDs) mounted the running attack while Anthony Johnson (eight receptions, 238 yards, three TDs) and K.J. Osborn (four catches, 34 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Kent State has run the ball on 54.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Buffalo has an overall rush percentage of 56.6 percent. The Golden Flashes have run for 177.6 yards per game (including 174.2 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have 16 scores on the ground this year. The Bulls are totaling 173.0 rush yards per game (193.2 in conference) and have 20 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then the Bulls may have the more disruptive lines up front, as their offensive line has given up only eight sacks while the D-line has registered 25 sacks. The Golden Flashes O-line has allowed 34 sacks and their defense has forced only 21 sacks.
The Golden Flashes offensive scheme has averaged 215.2 yards through the air overall (217.8 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Bulls have produced 248.7 pass yards per game (270 against MAC foes) and have 23 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Kent State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 184.9 yards and throw for 285.8 yards per game. The Buffalo defense has allowed 184.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 159.9 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulls are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.41 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Flashes have allowed a 7.82 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Barrett is up to 1,717 yards on the year, and has connected on 171-of-280 attempts with nine passing scores and eight interceptions. Barrett has a 4.33 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.54 over the past two games.
We expect the Kent State offense to mix it up in this one. Jo-el Shaw, Woody Barrett and Antwan Dixon have collectively accounted for 495 total yards and six touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Tyree Jackson has completed 134-of-234 passes for 1,901 yards, 21 TDs and five INTs for Buffalo. His ANY/A sits at 8.80 for the season and 7.09 across his past two games.
Anthony Johnson, Jaret Patterson and K.J. Osborn have combined for 644 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns the last two games.
When these two programs met a year ago, Buffalo knocked off Kent State by two touchdowns 27-13.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Buffalo, ATS Winner: Kent State
Team Betting Trends
- The O/U for Kent State’s last game was 67.5. The under cashed in the team’s 35-28 victory over Bowling Green.
- As a team, Kent State has rushed for 4.2 yards per attempt across its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
- Buffalo has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three matchups and only 3.2 over its last two.
- Buffalo has lost one fumble this season while Kent State has lost eight.
- Over its last three contests, Kent State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Buffalo’s previous game was set at 53. The over cashed in that 51-42 victory over Miami (OH).
- Over its last three matches, Buffalo is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Golden Flashes offense has produced seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulls have put up 12 such plays.
- The Kent State defense has allowed 12 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Buffalo has given up seven such plays.
- The Kent State offense has created 18 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Buffalo has created 10 such runs.
- The Golden Flashes defense has allowed 18 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Bulls have given up seven such runs.
- The Buffalo D has tallied 25 sacks on the year while Kent State has 21.
