Kent St at Alabama – Preview and Prediction
ALABAMA 44 KENT ST (50)
Implied Projected Score: Alabama 47 Kent St 3
MEGALOCKS LINE – Alabama 38
The Game
The Crimson Tide get a well deserved break this week and take on the Kent St Golden Flashes at home after having already played USC and Ole Miss. SEC play is on deck. It will be a study in contrast for Kent St as they are coming off back to back games vs FCS opponents. One of those games was a loss. Now they get to face Roll Tide on the road.
The Match-Up
Alabama offense vs Kent St defense
The Tide have found a way to put up 52,38,48 in their first three games of the season. Just when you heard their run game was a problem they ripped through Ole Miss for 334 yards on the ground. QB Jalen Hurts looks like a keeper to us and provides a really dangerous dual threat at QB. WR A Stewart is doubtful for this game but the Tide can still hurt you in the passing game.
The Kent St defense promises to be one of the best in the MAC this season but now comes the ultimate challenge. The Golden Flashes are scrappy and have some talented players on defense but at some point they will get worn down. Whether that happens in the 3rd Q or the 4th Q will likely decide who gets to cover the point spread. Overall, we see Bama having a bit of trouble at times because Kent really does have a good defense, but they should score in the 40s without a problem. Defense and special teams will likely chip in at some point.
Kent St offense vs Alabama defense
QB Mylik Mitchell ran for 77 yards and threw for 106 yards in a win over Monmouth last week. This is what they call a “huge rise in class” in the thoroughbred handicapping arena. We cannot see Kent St moving the ball with any success on the ground and Mitchell is only averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. Kent might be able to score but it will most likely be off a short field following a turnover or a big play off a missed assignment. That my friends is entirely possible.
MEGA Minutia
Kent St played here in 2011 and lost 48-7 as 39-point underdogs…..Nick Saban roamed the Kent St secondary back in the early 70s….#nostalgia….Kent St is ranked near the bottom of the FBS in sacks and TFL allowed per game and that is after playing two FCS teams….uh oh.
Summary
Feels like a 50-50 shot for the Tide to cover. We can see Alabama up by 35-40 midway through the 4th Q and people with Alabama tickets and Kent St tickets all squirming in their chairs hoping for the cover. We do not want to be one of those people.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: None