Kent St at Penn St – Preview and Prediction
PENN ST 21.5 KENT ST 45
Implied Projected Score: Penn St 33.25 Kent St 11.75
MEGALOCKS LINE – Penn St 20
The Game
Penn St looks to open up the season on a winning note as they face the Kent St Golden Flashes on Saturday afternoon. Better things are expected this season out of Penn St even with the departure of QB Christian Hackenberg. Kent St has been struggling since HC Paul Haynes took over (9-26 SU record) and face a tough task going into Happy Valley.
The Match-Up
Penn St offense vs Kent St defense
The Nittany Lions hope to have a much better offense this season with an experienced offensive line, a new OL coach and a new QB in Trace McSorley. Penn St goes against a very solid MAC defense from Kent St (3rd MAC total defense 2015) but have a potential star RB in Saquon Barkley and one of the best WR groups in the Big 10. The key for Penn St will be keeping the QB on his feet as they have given up 83 sacks (!) in the past two seasons combined. Kent St will make them work for it, but the Nittany Lions will get their points.
Kent St offense vs Penn St defense
Kent St is going with true freshman QB (!) Justin Agner and we cannot imagine a much tougher task for your first career start. The good news for Kent St is that the Nittany Lions only return 5 starters on defense and all-universe 1st Team AA DL Carl Nassib and fellow DL star Austin Johnson have departed for the NFL. MEGALOCKS MACtion INSIDERS have indicated that Kent St will also start a true freshman at RB (Justin Rankin). Kent St was the lowest scoring team in the FBS last season (13.1 points per game) and we feel they will struggle to get to that mark on Saturday.
Tasty Tidbits
Kent St HC Paul Haynes must be on the hot seat with a 9-26 SU and 14-20-1 ATS record in his tenure with the Golden Flashes…..The Golden Flashes are 1-8 L9 ATS vs Big 10 competition….Last time Kent St visited Happy Valley (2013) it was a 34-0 debacle….Kent St trivia to amuse your pals…they accomplished the rare feat last season of getting shutout three times in five weeks…Kent may just want to get out of town as they have NC A&T and Monmouth (?) on deck….Penn St lost their last four games of 2015….HC James Franklin is just 10-16 ATS in two seasons with the Nittany Lions.
Summary
It is hard to think about how Kent St might move the football on Penn St, then again, you never know with a new QB facing a reloading defense. Kent is an automatic pass with a 14 yr old QB starting but not crazy about laying 21+ with Penn St. The under is mildly intriguing. Pondering.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Would not be sickened by an under play. Would want a number no worse than 44. Leanage for those needing to get some action.