College Football Predictions – Kent St Golden Flashes 2018 NCAA Football Preview
Recap
Record – 2-10
ATS – 4-8
It was another tough season for Kent St as they struggled to a two-win campaign. They did manage to upset the Miami Redhawks, but other than that unexpected triumph, they pretty much got pasted every week. The Golden Flashes have only won 14 (!) games over the past five seasons and new head coach Sean Lewis has a lot of work to do.
2018 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #6
MAC – #12
Kent St Golden Flashes 2018 Outlook
OFFENSE
Kent St was a mess last year finishing #127 in the FBS in total offense (275 YPG) and #128 in scoring offense (12.8 PPG). The main culprit was an extremely ineffective passing attack that could only muster 123 YPG (#123 FBS). There are a few options to consider for the starting QB gig including Auburn transfer Woody Barrett and sophomore Dustin Crum who attempted 30 passes in 2017. RB Justin Rankin will look to follow up on an excellent freshman season in which he led the team in rushing yards (490) and receptions (42). Nobody else on the team had more than 20 catches in 2017. The offensive line brings back 3/5 starters but appears to lack depth. They allowed a whopping 46 (!) sacks in 12 games last year and need to get that problem fixed.
New HC Sean Lewis and OC Andrew Sowder will increase the tempo but it remains to be seen how quickly that will translate into points. They have no choice (?) other than to improve on their output from a season ago but we suspect they will fall shy of the 20 PPG mark.
DEFENSE
Kent allowed over 30 PPG (35.1) last year for the first time since 2008. Startle the table at the next FAMILY PICNIC with that trivia nugget. They have almost always had a strong defense in the recent past but they only return five starters. The good news is that they bring back their top-two tacklers from the 2017 unit including 1st Team MAC honoree LB Jim Jones. We worry about the impact of an offense that is likely to have a lot of quick three-and-outs as the defense will be under duress on a frequent basis. There is some talent here but it feels like they will struggle to hold their opponents to under 30 PPG.
SPECIAL TEAMS
We have serious concerns about the return units that were dreadful in 2017 (#93 PR, #124 KR) and they also need to break in a new PK. A bright spot is the return of P Derek Adams who earned 2nd Team MAC honors with a 39.2 yard net.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The first two games vs Illinois and Howard are not so bad but then they face a DAILY DOUBLE OF DOOM with road trips to Penn St and Ole Miss. They have seven road games on the docket.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Miami (October 13). This will be the Flashes’ 4th road game in five weeks and it precedes the WAGON WHEEL RIVALRY game with Akron.
Season Win Total
Over 2.5 +120
Under 2.5 -150
MEGALOCKS says:
Neutral view at the moment. There are four or five winnable games on the schedule. Seriously. It’s just hard to know how much these guys will struggle.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Kent St has only banked one season with more than six wins in the last 30 years (2012 – 11).
The Golden Flashes have never won a bowl game (0-2).
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the GOLDEN FLASHES a 3.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season.
It’s not a particularly HOT TAKE to suggest that these guys will struggle in year one of the Sean Lewis era. There are system changes on both sides of the ball and it’s unclear what to expect out of the QB position. We imagine they will be scrappier than anticipated and probably SHOCK the WORLD at least once.
There are some interesting pieces on the roster but it’s probably smart to avoid these guys vs the point spread on most occasions. We expect to have a more glowing forecast next year.
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