The Ohio Bobcats (-12.5) aren’t traveling far to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes at Dix Stadium. ESPN+ has the TV rights and kickoff will take place at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Ohio Bobcats vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State enters this MAC matchup as a noticeable underdog and is currently getting 12.5 points. The Bobcats are also receiving -525 moneyline odds while the Golden Flashes are +360. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 70 points. If the underdog strikes early, it’ll likely create a worthwhile in-game betting scenario.
The game’s total has swung higher after opening at 69.5. The original spread has yet to change.
The Bobcats are 2-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 1.0 unit so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 3-0.
The Golden Flashes have lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-2.
The Bobcats have gone 2-2 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any MAC competition yet. The Golden Flashes are 1-4 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced each other last year, Ohio won soundly 48-3.
The Bobcats are coming off a resounding 58-42 victory over Massachusetts last week. Nathan Rourke completed 23 passes on 32 attempts for 270 yards, three scores and one interception. Rourke (189 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Maleek Irons (140 yards on 13 carries, two TDs). Papi White (six receptions, 84 yards, two TDs) and Andrew Meyer (six catches, 60 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
One game ago, Ball State got the win against this Kent State team by a score of 52-24. The Golden Flashes defense let the Cardinals pass for 446 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 160 yards and three scores. Riley Miller shredded the defense, recording 208 yards on 11 catches for Ball State. For Kent State, Woody Barrett completed 30-of-44 passes for 314 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Justin Rankin (75 rushing yards on 19 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Barrett (-9 yards on 12 carries) handled the running attack while Isaiah McKoy (10 receptions, 68 yards) and Antwan Dixon (five catches, 55 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Ohio’s run the ball on 56.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Kent State has a rush percentage of 52.1 percent. The Bobcats have run for 223.0 yards/game and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Golden Flashes are totaling 174.8 rush yards per game and have 10 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Bobcats might own an edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their backfield has generated 5.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 4.2 YPC to opponents. The Golden Flashes have rushed for 4.1 yards per carry and allowed 4.5 YPC to opponents.
The Bobcats offense has logged 242.8 yards per game in the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Golden Flashes have produced 232.4 pass yards per game and have six total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio has allowed 131.3 rush yards and 386.8 pass yards per game. The Kent State D has given up 325.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 202.0 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Flashes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 8.62 to opponents, while the Bobcats have allowed a staggering 9.63 ANY/A.
Rourke probably has the advantage over Barrett in this matchup, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 7.73for the year (and 7.17 over the last two games). Barrett’s ANY/A is 4.56 for the season and 4.05 over his past two games.
Ohio Bobcats at Kent State Golden Flashes Free Pick
SU Winner: Ohio, ATS Winner: Ohio, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- Ohio was favored by 11 points in its previous game and the O/U was 69. The over cashed and Ohio covered in the 58-42 victory over Massachusetts.
- Ohio has averaged 6.26890756302521 yards per rush attempt across its past three games and 7.1 over its last two.
- Kent State has averaged 2.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.6 over its past two.
- The Kent State offense has lost six fumbles this season while Ohio has lost three.
- Over its last three contests, Ohio is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Kent State was favored by 7 points in its previous matchup and the Over/Under was set at 60. The over cashed and Kent State did not cover in the team’s 52-24 loss to Ball State.
- In its last three matches, Kent State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Bobcats offense has produced two pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Golden Flashes have accounted for four such plays.
- The Ohio defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Kent State has given up 10 such plays.
- The Ohio offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Kent State has created 10 such runs.
- The Bobcats defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Golden Flashes have given up 11 such runs.
- The Kent State defensive unit has created 12 sacks on the year while Ohio has seven.
