Pick details
| MATCHUP | Kent State Golden Flashes | Ohio State Buckeyes |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Where | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | FOX | |
Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
Ohio State has a 1-1 record this season and are coming off a 23-24 road loss against Texas. Offensively, Ohio State averages 56 points per game, ranking 9th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 27 points per game, which is 87th. Ohio State averages 521.5 total yards per game (356 passing and 165.5 rushing), while allowing 250.5 total yards per game (93 rushing and 157.5 passing).
Julian Sayin leads Ohio State with 598 passing yards with 66.7% completed passes and 4 touchdowns. Bo Jackson leads the team in rushing yards with 157, while Jeremiah Smith has a team-high 16 receptions for 315 receiving yards. Defensively, Earl Little Jr. has a team-high 15 total tackles (7 of them solo).
Kent State Golden Flashes Preview
Kent State has a 1-1 record this season and are coming off a 36-15 home win against Wofford. Offensively, Kent State averages 18 points per game, ranking 115th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 36 points per game, which is 112th. Kent State averages 313.5 total yards per game (166 passing and 147.5 rushing), while allowing 409 total yards per game (168 rushing and 241 passing).
Dru DeShields leads Kent State with 311 passing yards with 62.2% completed passes and one touchdown. Dru DeShields leads the team in rushing yards with 101, while Wayne Harris has a team-high 6 receptions for 93 receiving yards. Defensively, Rocco Nicholl has a team-high 13 total tackles (9 of them solo), while Rocco Nicholl leads the team with 2 sacks.
Kent State Golden Flashes @ Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends: Week 3
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 34 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kent State has lost each of its last 27 road games in September.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six road games in September.
- Ohio State has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games at Ohio Stadium.
- Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last 22 September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Ohio State has won the first quarter in each of its last 11 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win
- Ohio State has lost three of its last four games.
- Kent State has won three of its last four games in Ohio.
- The team ranked 6th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games.
- Kent State has covered the spread in three of its last four games in Ohio.
- The team ranked 6th in the AP Poll has lost the first half in three of its last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Kent State’s last six games in September have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Ohio State’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Ohio State Buckeyes Player Prop Facts
- Jeremiah Smith has recorded 100+ receiving yards in four consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.
Kent State Golden Flashes Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, Hunter Hopperton ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Ohio State ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Ohio State ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Kent State ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- Kent State ranks 137th among FBS teams for average point differential in second quarters this season (-13.5).
Kent State vs Ohio State Prediction
In this Kent State vs Ohio State Prediction, Ohio State is coming as -52.5 home favorites. Both teams have identical records so far, but Ohio State has superior numbers, as they have a top-10 offense and Kent State is sitting below the top-110 both offensively and defensively. Ohio State has covered the spread in both of its games and won by 53 in their only home game this season, while Kent State was destroyed by 0-57 in its only game against FBS competition. Take Ohio State and lay the huge number at home in this one.
Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Ohio State -52.5
