Kent State Golden Flashes (2-4) vs. South Florida Bulls (4-2)
October 17, 2026 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: South Florida Bulls -20.5 / Kent State Golden Flashes 20.5; Over/Under: 45.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Kent State Golden Flashes and South Florida Bulls meet Saturday in week 7 college football action at Raymond James Stadium. Here’s a South Florida vs. Kent State Prediction. This article will include a South Florida vs. Kent State Pick.
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview
The Kent State Golden Flashes lost to Ohio and Western Michigan, and they play Akron next. Kent State has lost 3 of its last 4 games. Dru DeShields is completing 57.4 percent of his passes for 980 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Wayne Harris and Da’Realyst Clark have combined for 621 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ardell Banks has 7 receptions.
The Kent State Golden Flashes ground game is averaging 109.2 yards per contest, and Mason King leads the way with 202 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Kent State is allowing 32.5 points and 379.2 yards per game. Joel Cordoba leads the Kent State Golden Flashes with 30 tackles, Rocco Nicholl has 3 sacks, and Norey Johnson has 1 interception.
South Florida Bulls Betting Preview
The South Florida Bulls lost to Temple and UTSA, and play UAB next. The South Florida Bulls have won 6 of their last 9 games. Michael Van Buren Jr. is completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 1,073 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Joshua Porter and Bryson Rodgers combined for 566 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Cameron Sheldon has 8 receptions.
The South Florida Bulls’ ground game is averaging 152.5 yards per contest, and D.J. Crowther leads the way with 476 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, South Florida is allowing 17.3 points and 341.3 yards per game. Ayden Jackson leads the South Florida Bulls with 37 tackles, Michael Williams II has 2.5 sacks, and Tayvion Beasley has 1 interception.
Why the South Florida Bulls will win
- Kent State has lost each of its last nine road games in October.
- South Florida has won nine of its last 10 games at Raymond James Stadium.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Kent State’s last six games.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
- Kent State has lost the first half in each of its last 18 road games.
- South Florida has won the first quarter in each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams at Raymond James Stadium.
Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win
- South Florida has lost five of its last six games against teams from Ohio.
- South Florida has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six October games at Raymond James Stadium.
- Kent State has covered the spread in three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The underdog has won the first half in each of South Florida’s last three games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of Kent State’s last nine October games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of South Florida’s last seven games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
South Florida Bulls Player Prop Facts
- Michael Van Buren Jr. has thrown zero interceptions in seven consecutive games- the longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 7.
Kent State Golden Flashes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 7, Dru DeShields leads Kent State for touchdowns (3) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- South Florida ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- South Florida ranks 135th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (3.3).
- Kent State has suffered the most road losses by a margin of 25+ points of any FBS team this season (3).
- Kent State has suffered the most road losses by a margin of 30+ points of any FBS team this season (3).
South Florida vs Kent State Prediction
South Florida is the more talented team and should win, but this is a lot of points for a Bulls team that can’t score. USF is 110th in total offense, 111th in passing offense, and 89th in scoring offense. We saw South Florida score 13 points at home and lose to Temple as a 5.5-point favorite. Kent State has issues of its own and is probably even worse offensively, but I’d rather get three free touchdowns with a team that can’t score over laying them. There are better games out there, but it’s Kent State and the points if I had to pick.
