Western Michigan (4-3) vs Kent State (0-7)
October 26, 2024 at 03:30 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Western Michigan -17.5 / Kent State +17.5 — Over/Under:
The Kent State Golden Flashes and the Western Michigan Broncos meet Saturday in college football action from Waldo Stadium. Here’s a Kent State vs Western Michigan prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Kent State vs Western Michigan pick. We will examine:
The Kent State Golden Flashes’ recent form and player performance
The Western Michigan Broncos’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Kent State Golden Flashes
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Western Michigan Broncos
Recent betting trends in games played between Kent State and Western Michigan
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Kent State vs Western Michigan game
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview
Kent State took a half-dozen losses across their first six games this year. Those defeats came at the hands of Pittsburgh, St. Francis PA, Tennessee, Penn State, Eastern Michigan, and Ball State for an 0-6 opening run.
Last weekend versus Bowling Green, the Flashes could only muster a couple of first-half field goals in a 27-6 blowout loss. QB Tommy Ulatowski posted just 78 passing yards and two picks. Ky Thomas had a good day on the ground though, with 14 carries for 121 yards.
Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview
Over on the Western Michigan side, they went 3-3 over their first six outings. The Broncos would lose to Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Marshall in that time; the wins were versus Bethune-Cookman, Ball State, and Akron otherwise.
In the Buffalo game, the Broncos scored 21 points in the second quarter and 13 more in the fourth to finish off a tight 48-41 road win. Hayden Wolff logged 280 pass yards and three scores. Jayden Nixon rushed 14 times for 112 yards and three touchdowns of his own.
Why the Western Michigan Broncos will win
- Kent State has lost each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has won 18 of Kent State’s last 19 games.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games as a road underdog.
- Western Michigan has covered the spread in four of its last five October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win
- Western Michigan has lost three of its last four October games at Waldo Stadium.
- Western Michigan has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four home games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Western Michigan’s last seven games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams has gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Kent State’s last six October games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Western Michigan ranks 127th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (456.4).
- Western Michigan ranks 125th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (278.0).
- Kent State ranks 134th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (28.9).
- Kent State ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (536.6).
Kent State vs Western Michigan Prediction
I’ll stick with Western Michigan. The Broncos’ offense was working pretty well in the tight win over Buffalo, posting 489 yards (209 rushing), 6.9 yards per play, and 27 first downs. On defense, WMU gave up 551 yards (242 rushing) and 8.1 yards per play but also surrendered just 4-of-12 on third-down conversions.
As for Kent State, they were drilled pretty hard by Bowling Green this past weekend, posting just 204 total yards (78 passing) and three interceptions. Overall the defense wasn’t horrendous, but they did give up 313 passing yards and failed to register a takeaway. So long as the Broncos’ offense is mediocre this weekend, Western Michigan should be fine.