Central Michigan is hosting Kent State on Wednesday night of Week 13. The game will take place at 7:00 p.m. ET in Kent, Ohio.
The Chippewas are 9.5-point road favorites in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 48.5 points. This is a preview, prediction and pick for this MAC conference matchup.
Kent State vs. Central Michigan prediction, preview
Kent State Preview
Believe it or not, Kent State is building in the right direction with a 4-6 record on the season. Kent State is unlikely to win two in a row against Central Michigan and Northern Illinois to get to bowl eligibility, but Mark Carney has the Golden Flashes winning games again. In two seasons under Kenni Burns, Kent State went 1-23 overall, including a 0-16 conference record. In Carney’s first season in charge, he has already won three conference games. Kent State has finally gotten some competent quarterback play out of Dru DeShields. The Golden Flashes still have one of the worst rosters in college football, but the coaching upgrade has been clear. This team has found a way to win a couple of close games that it would have lost in the past.
Central Michigan Preview
Central Michigan is one of the five two-loss MAC teams vying for a chance to meet Western Michigan in the conference title game, assuming Western Michigan wins out. It has been a great first season under Matt Drinkall, getting this program to a bowl game for the first time since 2021. However, a MAC Championship Game appearance would mean even more to the Chippewa faithful. This is one of the unique offenses in college football, making it a nightmare for any defense to plan for. Central Michigan uses two quarterbacks, Joe Labas as the primary passer and Angel Flores as the primary runner. The Chippewas employ various formations and play designs to utilize the distinct skill sets of their two quarterbacks, constantly keeping opposing defenses off guard.
Kent State vs. Central Michigan pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for Central Michigan to cover the 9.5-point spread. Kent State deserves a lot of credit for taking a jump forward after two dreadful seasons. However, the Golden Flashes have not held up against elite competition this season. They were decimated by their Power Four out-of-conference opponents and lost 45-10 to Toledo, the best MAC team they have faced. Kent State has been lucky not to have to face any of the top teams in the conference, outside of Toledo. Central Michigan has a massive advantage with its passing offense against the Kent State defense. The Chippewas rank 36th in the nation in offensive EPA/dropback, while Kent State ranks 126th in defensive EPA/dropback. Central Michigan’s two-quarterback system should win the day and score too much for Kent State to stay within the number.
