2022 Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

2022 KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

It was the best of both worlds for Kent State football in 2021. The Golden Flashes got PAID, traveling to Texas A&M, Iowa and Maryland. They lost all three games by at least 21 points, but it made over $5 million in guaranteed payouts to play in those games. After a 1-3 start, with a win over VMI of the FCS, which the Golden Flashes shelled out $415K to the Keydets for the 60-10 win, the Flashes entered conference play.

Kent State marched to a 6-2 record to take the East Division, but ended up losing to Northern Illinois at Ford Field in the MAC Championship Game. Still, the "Flash Fast" offense was on point, going for 27 or more points in eight straight games from Oct. 2 to Nov. 27, helping the team get to Detroit. Unfortunately for the Flashes, they lost in the MAC title game and in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to Wyoming. But, it was still a very memorable season.

Unfortunately for Kent State, QB Dustin Crum's collegiate career is complete, and he'll now turn the keys over to QB Collin Schlee. It wouldn't be surprising to see head coach Sean Lewis tweak the offense somewhat, leaning upon the two productive returning RBs Marques Cooper (241-1205-11) and Xavier Williams (125-812-3). The run game could take a slight hit due to key losses along the offensive line, although the team used the transfer portal to hopefully plug holes in the dike.

The good news for Schlee is that he will have WR Dante Cephas (82-1240-9) back as the playmaker in the receiving game. In fact, his catch and receiving yardage totals were each good for second-most in school history. Young WRs Ja'Shaun Poke (26-315-1) and Devontez Walker (5-124-1) appear to be primed for much larger pieces of the offensive pie.

Defensively, Kent State was a disaster at times, and it ranked last in the MAC in total defense while allowing more first downs than any other unit in the nation. Yet, despite it all, the Flashes still went bowling. The team will lean upon UCLA transfer DE AJ Campbell, a redshirt freshman, to give the pass-rush a much needed shot in the arm.

Trips to Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia await this team, meaning more lettuce for the athletic program. In fact, the Washington game nets Kent State $1.8M, and the other two games will likely equal or exceed last season's haul. After what is all but going to be a 1-3 start for Kent State, we'll start to get a better idea about this team. Kent State faces an important game at Miami-Ohio, which could very well determine the East Division. The Flashes miss Northern Illinois in the crossover game, which is a pity after a memorable late-season game at Dix Stadium last year. No Western Michigan, either. This is still going to be a bowl team, as there is just too much offensive firepower, so bet the OVER, and feel confident in doing so.

Best Bet: Kent State OVER 5 Wins (-125)

2022 KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES SCHEDULE

• Sat., Sept. 3 - at Washington
• Sat., Sept. 10 - at Oklahoma
• Sat., Sept. 17 - vs. Long Island
• Sat., Sept. 24 - at Georgia
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. Ohio
• Sat., Oct. 8 - at Miami-Ohio
• Sat., Oct. 15 - at Toledo
• Sat., Oct. 22 - vs. Akron
• Tue., Nov. 1 - vs. Ball State
• Wed., Nov. 9 - at Bowling Green
• Wed., Nov. 16 - vs. Eastern Michigan
• Sat., Nov. 26 - at Buffalo

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 5 (-125)
• Under 5 (+105)

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES ODDS TO WIN MAC CHAMPIONSHIP

+900

All of the talking heads have Miami-Ohio as the favorite in the East Division, and I'll have to agree with them given the fact the Kent State-Miami showdown is in Oxford in early October. However, the Golden Flashes have such an exciting offense, and they just have to be better on defense than last year's showing. And even with all the problems on D, they STILL ended up in Detroit playing for a league championship. No one can blame you if you take a flier on Kent State, looking to multiply your initial stake by nine. There is a good chance here.

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+200000

The joke growing up in Northeast Ohio about the Golden Flashes went like this: "Can't read? Can't write? Kent State." I actually think Kent State is a fine institution, and have walked the campus, attended a couple of games at Dix, and even own a Kent State t-shirt. I kid. And guess what, I also believe very strongly that with this offense, Kent State has a legitimate chance of...no, I also kid. They have no shot, and will be buried before October in bloodbaths in Seattle, Norman and Athens, showing how far this team is from the big boys.

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

The Kent State Golden Flashes do not have any Heisman contenders to begin the 2022 season

2021 KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 7-7
• ATS: 6-8
• O/U: 6-8
• ATS-Home: 4-1
• ATS-Road: 2-7
• ATS-Favorite: 5-2
• ATS-Underdog: 6-1

MORE CONFERENCE ODDS

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish