The UMass Minutemen and the Kent State Golden Flashes meet in week 7 college football action from Dix Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UMass Minutemen vs. Kent State Golden Flashes prediction.
UMass Minutemen Recap
The UMass Minutemen come into this game looking to bounce back from a 21-3 loss at the hands of Western Michigan last time out to sit at 0-5 on the year. After this game, UMass is heading back home for a matchup with the Buffalo Bulls.
Minutemen Still Searching For First Win
Grant Jordan has thrown for 278 yards and an interception on 58.7% passing while Brandon Rose has thrown for 289 yards and an INT on 59% passing and AJ Hairston has thrown for 290 yards, a TD and 2 INTs on 47.5% passing this season. Rocko Griffin leads UMass in rushing with 165 rushing yards and a TD while Jacquon Gibson has a team-high 36 catches for 358 yards and Donnie Gray has 123 receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Timmy Hinspeter has a team-high 55 total tackles including a pair of sacks as well as an interception while Marques White has a team-high 3 sacks. As a unit, UMass has combined for 8 sacks and 3 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Massachusetts Minutemen will win
- Kent State has lost each of its last 17 games against conference opponents.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven October games as a home favorite.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of Massachusetts’ last five games.
Kent State Golden Flashes Recap
The Kent State Golden Flashes come into this game looking to nounce back from a 44-0 loss at the hands of Oklahoma in their last game to sit at 1-4 this season. After this game, the Golden Flashes will head home for a game against the Toledo Rockets.
Golden Flashes Drop 4 Straight
Dru DeShields has thrown for 642 yards, 5 touchdowns and an interception on 58.7% passing while Gavin Garcia has a team-high 183 rushing yards this season. Cade Wolford has 10 receptions for 242 yards and 4 touchdowns while Dashawn Martin has 151 receiving yards. Ardell Banks and Wayne Harris each have 100+ receiving yards as well this season, with Harris logging a team-high 11 receptions. On defense, Mason Woods has a team-high 32 total tackles while Kent State’s defense as a whole has combined for 7 sacks and a pair of interceptions.
Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win
- Massachusetts has lost each of its last nine games.
- The favorite has won each of Kent State’s last 15 games.
- Massachusetts has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in three of Kent State’s last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of Kent State’s last 10 October games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Massachusetts’ last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
UMass Minutemen vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Prediction
I’m on the under in this one. These are two of the worst offensive units in the MAC and I don’t think that changes even against subpar competition on both sides. How we get nearly 50 points in this game is mind-boggling to me, as I could easily see a 14-7 or 17-14 kind of game whichever way it ends up going. Give me the under here.