Merrimack (0-0) vs Kent State (0-0)
August 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Kent State -6.5 — Over/Under:
The Merrimack Warriors and Kent State Golden Flashes meet Saturday in college football action at Dix Stadium. Here’s a Merrimack vs Kent State Prediction. This article will include a Merrimack vs Kent State Pick.
Merrimack Warriors Betting Preview
The Merrimack Warriors won five games last season and enter the second year under coach Mike Gennetti. Merrimack looks for its first winning season since 2022.
Ayden Pereira returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, while receivers Jalen McDonald and Seth Sweitzer are back as his top weapons. That receiving duo combined for nearly 600 yards and six touchdowns last season. Defensively, DJ Frazier returns as the top tackler for Merrimack, and Garry Rosemond Jr. had five pass deflections. Merrimack brings in defensive back Trent Brown from Rutgers.
Merrimack has holes on defense and has to find productive backs to balance out the offense. Still, with a year under Gennetti’s belt, Merrimack has a chance to build on last year’s success.
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview
The Kent State Golden Flashes didn’t win a single game last year and will now begin the Mark Carney coaching era. Kent State has won a combined one game in its last two seasons, so there’s only one way to go from here.
Kent State’s quarterback will either be Furman transfer CJ Montes or Devin Kargman, while the highlight of the offense is Minnesota transfer Jordan Nubin, who has 604 rushing yards for his career. The offensive line lost starters, and the receiving group saw key players transfer. Jay Jay Etheridge will have to build on 14 catches from last season if this Kent State offense will improve from last season.
Defensively, Kent State was dreadful last season, so this group will be a work in progress. A linebacker group made up of Mason Woods and Canaan Williams is the strength of this defense. Defensive back Tevin Tucker had a solid season last year with 65 tackles, and he’ll lead the secondary. Southern Illinois transfer Jamond Mathis has a chance to become one of the best players on this defense.
Overall, Kent State has nowhere to go but up, and this is a must win game to say the least.
Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win
- Kent State has won seven of its last eight home openers.
- Kent State has covered the spread in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Dix Stadium.
Why the Merrimack Warriors will win
- Kent State has lost each of its last 19 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Kent State Golden Flashes Player Prop Facts
- Canaan Williams led Kent State for interceptions (1) last season.
Merrimack vs Kent State Prediction
An FBS school should be able to beat an FCS school off of the talent alone. However, Kent State has won a combined one game in its last two seasons and now enters this season with a new coaching staff. I’m not excited to lay points with Kent State, and this will be just the third time since 2023 where they’re a favorite of five or more points. This is also a look ahead spot for Kent State, with Texas Tech on deck next week. Give me the points with Merrimack, but it’s just because Kent State is the worst team in the country.