2018 Football Preview -MAC – Golden Flashes
Looking for 2018 Kent State Golden Flashes predictions? The Golden Flashes struggled last year en route to a 2-10 season. Can first-year head coach Sean Lewis build a foundation of winning for the program?
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
2018-19 College Football Preview – Kent State Golden Flashes
Head Coach: Sean Lewis
2017 Record: 2-10
Kent State Golden Flashes Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +125000
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
***More 2018 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
The Golden Flashes will have to rely on their playmaking quarterback to stay competitive, the real question is who’s going to help him on that side of the ball?
2018 Kent State Golden Flashes Predictions: Team Strengths
Linebacker Experience: The Kent State defense had to stay on the field a lot last season, due to the poor offensive play.
The linebacking core should be the heart and soul of the team for the 2018 season.
Switching to a new defense is always tricky, but senior linebacker Jim Jones should help set the tone for the defense. Last season he racked up 98 tackles to go along with 6 sacks.
He should have even more opportunities to make plays in the backfield now that the team will run a 3-4 scheme. Look for him to have another great year and he could contend for an All-Conference spot.
Helping him with the switch will be Matt Bahr who will handle the “Money” linebacker spot. He has dealt with a lot of injuries during his career but if he is healthy I expect him to post a 60+ tackles season.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Better QB play?: As a collective unit last year the Golden Flashes threw for just 1,472 passing yards.
Most of the good (and bad play) from last season was done by George Bollas. Backing him up was Dustin Crum, who ran for 310 yards and was the second leading rusher on the team.
So why is this position a strength this year? The first reason is the offense will play at a much faster pace. Coming in at an FBS worst 12.8 points per game the Golden Flashes had to make a change at head coach. Sean Lewis should help improve the offense immensely with his creative playcalling.
The second reason is Juco transfer, Woody Barrett. The true sophomore is a former Auburn commit and was a top 30 QB in his recruiting class.
His dual-threat ability will make him dangerous in the open field and while he will struggle at times with the new system, he should have a great first season in the MAC.
2018 Kent State Golden Flashes Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Growing Pains of a New Regime: Coming off a rough 2-10 season the new coaching staff will have a lot of work cut out for them.
As a first-year head coach, Sean Lewis will make improvements to the team, but there will still be situations he has not experienced as a head coach that will take time to get used to.
The new offensive coordinator is Andrew Sowder who worked as the OC at San Jose St last season, and they averaged 16 points per game, so fans may not be too optimistic of the offensive firepower that will be on display.
I think the defense will be solid all around, even with the switch to the 3-4 as there are capable playmakers in the secondary and on the defensive line, that should help those units adjust quickly.
Check out the free College football picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Kent State Golden Flashes Prediction: 2-10
An identical record doesn’t mean it will be the same old Kent State squad you are used to.
Traveling to Illinois, Penn St. and Ole Miss are all pretty much-guaranteed losses.
Conference play will also include road trips to Buffalo and Bowling Green on consecutive Tuesdays, which could be the tail end of a long losing streak.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
If the Golden Flashes can get a couple of breaks to go their way they could get to 4 or 5 wins, I just don’t see it happening.
2018 Kent State Golden Flashes Football Schedule
- 9/1/18 12:00 PM ET @ILL
- 9/8/18 3:30 PM ET HOW
- 9/15/18 12:00 PM ET @PSU
- 9/22/18 TBD @MISS
- 9/29/18 TBD @BALL
- 10/6/18 3:30 PM ET OHIO
- 10/13/18 TBD @M-OH
- 10/20/18 TBD AKR
- 10/30/18 8:00 PM ET @BGSU
- 11/6/18 7:30 PM ET @BUFF
- 11/15/18 6:00 PM ET TOL
- 11/23/18 TBD EMU
What do you think about our 2018 Kent State Golden Flashes predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
The 2018 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.