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Kent State Golden Flashes 2014 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions

2014-15 Football Previews – (MAC) – Golden Flashes

Kent State took a large step backward last year. The Golden Flashes had three straight 5-7 seasons from 2009 through 2011. Then they jumped to 2012 in a magical season under Darrell Hazell.

Kent St.

Mid American Conference 2014-2015 College Football Preview- Kent State Golden Flashes
Head Coach: Paul Haynes
2013 Record: 8-5
Kent State Gambling Odds to win the MAC: +1,800
Season Win Total Gambling Odds: 4.5
Kent State [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Paul Haynes’ first season saw the team go 4-8 last year as youth and inexperience held them back.

It’s important to point out that Kent State was plus 20 in the turnover margin in 2012, and they were minus four last year.

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That’s about as big of a difference from one year to the next that you will ever see. Star Dri Archer couldn’t stay healthy last year, and now he is in the NFL.

The Golden Flashes return 14 starters and they look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in 2013. Let’s take a closer look at this team.

Team Strengths:

Kent State might not have Archer anymore, but they still have Trayion Durham, who is one of the best runners in the MAC. Durham is a strong runner at 6’1 and 250 pounds. He’s a great short yardage back, but he also has better moves in the open field than you would expect.

Anthony Meray also appears to have the talent to be a very good backup.

Kent State is strong in the trenches this year. The offensive line has tons of size and strength and they are a very deep group. They’ll protect the quarterback well, and they’ll open up a lot more holes for the running game than they did last year.
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On the defensive line, the Golden Flashes lose a star in Nix, but they have lots of big guys to fill the void. Kent State will be one of the better teams in the MAC in the trenches, and that could be very important.

Team Weaknesses:

There are plenty of question marks surrounding the Kent State passing game.

The Golden Flashes will start sophomore Colin Reardon at quarterback. Reardon was very inconsistent last season. He’ll likely be a bit better this year, but the lack of weapons at the wide receiver spot is a major concern. The Golden Flashes just don’t have many guys who can create much separation.

If they can’t throw it, opponents will continue to stack the box and make it tough for Durham and the running game.

There just isn’t much star power at Kent State like there has been in recent years. With guys like Archer and Nix, the Golden Flashes had true leaders who could carry the torch for the team. Now, it appears Kent State is short on high level talent.

This limits their ceiling in a big way.

2014-2015 Kent State Golden Flashes Gambling Prediction: 4-8

I see more of the same for Kent State in 2014. Though the team should be a bit better, the schedule is tougher than it was last year as well. The first few weeks will be really tough for this team, so they are liable to be in a big hole right off the bat.

I don’t think this team can pick up any more than four wins.

2014 Kent St. Schedule

  • 8/30/14 6:00 PM ET OHIO
  • 9/6/14 2:00 PM ET USA
  • 9/13/14 12:00 PM ET @OSU
  • 9/27/14 TBD @UVA
  • 10/4/14 TBD @NIU
  • 10/11/14 TBD MASS
  • 10/18/14 TBD ARMY
  • 10/25/14 TBD @M-OH
  • 11/4/14 8:00 PM ET TOL
  • 11/12/14 8:00 PM ET @BGSU
  • 11/19/14 8:00 PM ET @BUFF
  • 11/25/14 7:00 PM ET AKR

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By Kyle Hunter

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