College Football Predictions – Kent St Golden Flashes 2019 College Football Preview
2018 Recap
Record – 2-10
ATS – 7-5
The Golden Flashes stumbled to a two-win season in year one of the Sean Lewis era, but tough times were to be expected. They have to be pleased that they showed some improvement by giving some good MAC squads all they could handle. They lost to Ohio and Eastern Michigan by a combined nine points. They also played a Big Ten opponent tough in their season opener losing by a mere TD at Illinois.
There’s reason for optimism, but what are realistic expectations for 2019?
2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – #3
MAC – #7
Kent St Golden Flashes 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
The FlashFAST offense had a few bumps in the road in year one but let’s be honest, it’s never bad when you can essentially DOUBLE your scoring output from one season to the next (12.8 PPG to 23.9 PPG). We expect another big jump in production as the Golden Flashes have one of the best QBs in the MAC running the show. Woody Barrett threw for over 2,300 yards and 11 TDs (9 INTs) and rushed for another 503 yards and seven scores. We expect a fine season out of Barrett and he will be keeping defenses on their toes. The WR group is unique in that they are DIMINUTIVE weapons that are reliable and catch a lot of short passes. Their top-three men are back in the WR room and the chemistry can only get better. Leading RB Jo-El Shaw returns for duty and he could play a bigger role this year given the transfer of the reliable Justin Rankin. The offensive line gave up a HORRID number of sacks in 2018 (43) (#126 FBS) but the hope is that they will be much improved in year two of the system. It can’t hurt to have four returning starters up front.
We think the Golden Flashes will score 30 PPG for the first time since 2012 when they racked up 33.1 PPG, and oh by the way, won eleven games. Not saying, just saying.
DEFENSE
Kent St was brutal across the board last year. They were #117 in the FBS in total defense (467 YPG), #114 in rushing defense (213 YPG) and #98 in pass efficiency defense. A stop unit is going to face more plays when paired with a fast-moving offense, but it’s clear that Kent St needs to get better on this side of the ball. Six starters return including their top-three tacklers from a season ago. The LB group is the strength of the defense and the secondary brings back three starters including a pair of experienced CBs. The big worry is a complete reload on the defensive line. That’s not good when you reflect back to the DEBACLE of 2018.
We project modest improvement but it’s hard to call for much more. They will still be weak vs the run and will not have much of a pass rush.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This has been a sore spot since the DAWN OF TIME but we have good news to report! You know we love us some robot PKs and Matthew Trickett was a 1st Team MAC performer in 2018 (14/17 FGs). It gets better. Punter Derek Adams is back after missing most of last campaign due to injury, and he is really good. KR Jamal Parker averaged 30.1 yds per KO return LY.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s pretty nasty. They have road dates with Arizona St, Auburn and Wisconsin in non-conference play. They also have a three-week stretch were they play consecutive road games.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Auburn (September 14)
This feels like a MAIL IT IN GAME. Conference play begins the following week, and it’s a winnable game at that (Bowling Green). No need to have your depth chart massacred.
Season Win Total
Over 4 +155
Under 4 -175
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean to the under, but not crazy about the extra juice. Kent St will be better this year but it may not show up under the win column.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Kent St’s main rival is the Akron Zips who reside just 10 miles away. They do battle on an annual basis for the Wagon Wheel. The Zips lead the series by a count of 35-24-2.
Never forget that your pal Nick Saban was a graduate assistant under Don James at Kent St in the 1970s.
MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Positive
Kent St is going to be a lot better on offense this year, and with a little luck, the defense might make strides as well. The schedule is really tough, and while we don’t expect this team to get to a bowl game, they are more than capable of pulling off an upset or two.
Last year, Kent St enjoyed their first winning ATS season since the epic 2012 campaign in which they rattled off eleven wins. We have a slightly positive ATS outlook this year as they should be able to hang within a number of large point spreads during the course of the season. Don’t go nuts, just keep them in the back of your mind as a possibility for your weekly wagering card.
Want more Kent St football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.kentstatesports.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
FORUM
http://csnbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=474
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2309
http://bleacherreport.com/kent-state-football
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kent-st-golden-flashes
TWITTER
Hashtag – #FlashFAST
Accounts to follow