Kent St Golden Flashes 2022 College Football Preview
July 3, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 7-7
ATS – 6-8
The Golden Flashes got off to a slow start thanks to a brutal non-conference schedule but turned it on in MACtion ACTION with a 6-2 run. They took down Miami Ohio in dramatic fashion in their final regular season game (W 48-47) and punched a ticket to the MAC title game. Northern Illinois was just too much for Kent St in that affair (L 41-23) and they finished up by losing to Wyoming in the Potato Bowl (L 52-38). That game just happened to be a 90000 STAR MEGALOCKS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE BOWL LOCK winner.
What’s next for the men from Kent?
Kent St Golden Flashes 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Golden Flashes were nowhere near as explosive in 2021 as they were during the 2020 CASEDEMIC season but still moved the ball very effectively (493 YPG, #4 FBS). One of the biggest questions in the MAC this year is how the offense will function without the great Dustin Crum under center (3,187, 20-6 TD to INT, 703 rush, 12 TD LY). Collin Schlee has looked good in very limited action so we have high hopes. Schlee will be without two thirds of the THREE-HEADED monster at WR but the good news is that #1 Dante Cephas is back this year (1,240, 15.1, 9 TD). FlashFAST is all about getting that rushing attack LUBED UP and Kent St brings back their phenomenal 1-2 punch at RB (Cooper, Williams) who combined for over 2,000 (!) yards and 14 TDs on the ground in 2021. One big thing to worry about is an offensive line that’s one of the least experienced in the FBS but at least they bagged a pair of Big Ten transfers.
DEFENSE
Defense has been an afterthought at Kent St for quite a while and last year was no exception (36.3 PPG, #121 FBS). They had trouble vs the run, the pass, on 3rd downs, and with the pass rush. Yikes. They’ve gotta at least get to “MAC average” if they wanna be a consistent program and there’s a new DC in town to try and make it happen. Jeremiah Johnson did fine work at Northern Iowa and he’s got six returning starters and some Power 5 transfers to work with in 2022. NT Zayin West and CB Montre Miller are two solid pieces that return from LY’s squad but we think it’ll be up to the new blood and improved coaching to make a difference this year. Stay tuned.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s continuity in the kicking game with the return of punter Josh Smith and PK Andrew Glass who had a fine 2021 campaign (21-28 FG, 50-50 XP). Ja’Shaun Poke is back to return kickoffs (23.5) but they need to find a new PR.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – RUH ROH. The non-conference schedule is a MEAT GRINDER (at Washington, at Oklahoma, at Georgia) and they have to face Miami Ohio in Oxford. They draw two of the weaker teams from the MAC West but must battle Toledo on the road.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 24 – at Georgia
This will be Kent St’s 3rd road game in four weeks and their MAC opener is on deck. It’s probably not a spot to gamble on the road dog.
Season Win Total
Over 5 -125
Under 5 -105
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That market price looks about right. You can book three non-conference losses and they’ll probably lose the game at Toledo. Can they go 6-2 in the other eight games? Sure, but it won’t be easy.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Kent St is a very impressive 11-1 at home and 14-7 vs MAC foes over the L3Y.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The Golden Flashes have established themselves as a legit MAC outfit but there are questions to be answered. How will they perform with a new starting QB? Can they fix the defense? Will they have any healthy players left after the bruising September test? There’s upside for more but we’ll call for 5-6 wins and hope they can get to a bowl game.
FlashFAST, buh buh. Let’s gooooo!
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WEBSITE
https://kentstatesports.com/sports/football
FORUM
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