Kent State Golden Flashes (5-7 Last season) vs. UCF Knights (9-5 Last year)
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. UCF Knights 8/31/2023 – Kent State enjoys running. They can sprint down the field swiftly and have one of the fastest paces. Ky Thomas, who transferred from Kansas State, might have a huge season. The junior running back had 162 rushing yards with Kansas last year and 824 with Minnesota in 2021. The top rusher from the previous year moved on, but Xavier Williams is back after sitting out the 2022 campaign. In 2021, the senior RB amassed more than 800 yards. Key receivers were gone for the team, but Trell Harris is expected to step up. He only amassed 135 receiving yards in his rookie season, but this year, he progressed up the depth chart. A flaw in Kent State’s defense. Nico Bolden, who led the tackling effort last year, graduated.
The BIG 12 season marks a significant transition for the Central Florida Knights as they step into the conference known for its depth and competition. After their success in the AAC, UCF faces the challenge of adapting to the offensive prowess of the BIG 12. With key players returning, it will be interesting to watch how they perform. The Knights’ offense will benefit from the presence of standout receiver Javon Baker, who recorded impressive stats with 796 receiving yards and five TDs in the previous year. Stay informed with free consensus college football picks for well-informed predictions.
Golden Flashes vs. Knights Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 31, 2023 7:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | FBC Mortgage Stadium, FL |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | N/A |
QB Collin Schlee vs QB John Rhys Plumlee
The Kent State Golden Flashes are about to embark on what can be considered a rebuilding season. Last year, Kent State played well but missed the six victories needed to secure a bowl trip. The team has a new quarterback this year after Collin Schlee transferred to UCLA. Michael Alaimo will start the first game. The junior left Purdue where he made only 18 pass attempts, but got experience in the tough Big Ten.
John Rhys Plumlee, the quarterback for UCF, is back. The senior quarterback had a productive 2022 year, with 2586 passing yards and a 14:8 TD to INT ratio. Plumlee had 862 rushing yards, demonstrating his agility. UCF has a strong ground game. The top RB from last year is gone, but they still have plenty of talent poised to excel. Last season, RJ Harvey averaged 6.7 yards per run for 796 rushing yards, so this year should be a big one for him.
Odds/Point Spread: Kent State Golden Flashes +37, Total Odds: 57
The Kent State Golden Flashes will have difficulty winning games as they go through a rebuilding season. In the MAC East preseason poll, Kent State was picked to place last. This is a formidable challenge in the season opener for a Kent State team that features a new quarterback and many new players. UCF’s offense is strong and numerous important players are back. In addition, Kent State’s defense was among the weakest in the FBS last season.
They were ranked 81st because they wasted 160 rushing yards per game on average. For UCF, this is wonderful news. John Rhys Plumlee, their talented quarterback, likes to run. The Knights’ rushing offense, led by running back RJ Harvey, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry the previous season, was 8th in the FBS regarding yards per game.
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Trends
The Kent State Golden Flashes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 matches. The total went UNDER in 4 of Kent State’s last 5 matches. The Kent State Golden Flashes are 4-11 SU in their last 15 matches on the road. The Kent State Golden Flashes are 1-7 SU in their last 8 matches against an opponent in the American Athletic Conference. The total went UNDER in 6 of Kent State’s last 6 matches played in August.
UCF Knights Betting Trends
The UCF Knights are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 matches. The total went OVER in 4 of Central Florida’s last 6 matches. The UCF Knights are 12-5 SU in their last 17 matches. The UCF Knights are 12-2 SU in their last 14 matches at home. The UCF Knights are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 matches against an opponent in the Mid-American conference.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. UCF Knights 8/31/2023 Betting Picks
The Kent State Golden Flashes have a record of 5-10 ATS in their last 15 matches in week 1. Additionally, the total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kent State’s last 9 matches played on a Thursday. On the other side, the UCF Knights have been performing well in August, boasting a 6-1 SU record in their last 7 matches played during that month. Furthermore, they have a strong history in week 1, going 5-1 ATS in their last 6 matches. When playing on a Thursday at home, Central Florida has seen the total go OVER in 4 of their last 6 matches. Stay informed with free expert sports picks for insightful predictions and analysis.
Free Pick and Prediction: UCF Knights will win 45-10.