This edifice was first constructed in 1938 and has been the venue for some lopsided affairs against non-conference foes, like 51-7 (Missouri State) and 52-3 (New Mexico) not so long ago, but this one might be special.
It might rival that 73-7 doozy against Nicholls in 2014.
Neon Deion, the Flash Colorado Coach, helped gut Kent State, and those alums, boosters, and students will be fortunate to avoid witnessing the program’s fifth winless campaign.
Let’s break down the Kent State vs. Arkansas odds and a prediction.
Kent State vs. Arkansas Odds: Point Spread, Moneyline, Total
Here are betting lines from the top sports betting apps.
Kent State Golden Flashes (0-1, 0-1 ATS)
They went 0-11 in 1982, ’89, ’93, and ’98, and next weekend’s home tilt against Central Connecticut State is the one savior on the schedule.
The Golden Flashes are favored against nobody this season according to one projection ratings, except the Blue Devils, who play in the FCS’s Northeast Conference.
Kent is likely to be favored by more than three touchdowns, but it’s in position to take nothing for granted in the rough new turbulence of big-time college football.
Coach Sean Lewis had installed a “Flash Fast” offense that helped Kent average more than 33 points a game over the past three seasons, but Neon Deion poached Lewis to coordinate his offense.
That’s the framework Neon’s kid Shedeur used to throw for a school-record 510 yards in his very first game as a Buffalo last weekend in that shock upset (+800 on the moneyline) at TCU.
Many Kent State players bolted, too, leaving new boss Kenni Burns, a former Indiana tailback in his first head-coaching stint anywhere, with only four defensive starters and none on offense.
Those defectors included right guard Jack Bailey and right tackle Savion Washington, stalwarts now on the Colorado line.
In Kent’s 56-6 defeat to UCF last week, it had 240 yards of offense to the Golden Knights’ 723. The home side racked up three passing touchdowns and five on the ground.
In this young season, Kent State is the lone defense to yield at least 700 yards in a game.
With two field goals, Andrew Glass leads the Flashes with six points. Michael Alaimo (6-4, 225), the former Purdue Boilermaker, went 12-for-31 through the air for 145 yards and an interception.
However, Kent brass will travel home from Arkansas with a $1.6 million check, its guarantee for playing this game. It received $900,000 from UCF and will deposit another $1.1 million into its account after playing at Fresno State in two weeks.
Nearly $4 million for taking these humiliations on the field.
At least no national eyes will be watching; the SEC Network will televise the game. Don’t expect Arkansas to take pity on its outmanned foe.
Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0, 1-0 ATS in ’22)
Locals will understand quickly that last Saturday’s 56-13 thumping of Western Carolina, with Arkansas a 34.5-point favorite in Little Rock, was just a simple hors d’oeuvre for the Razorbacks.
Something truly pitiful visits Saturday when Kent State, gauged to be the very dregs of the Division-I barrel this season, visits. There’s even a chasm between the Flashes and Arkansas State, next to that very bottom, according to one metric.
So they can’t even say it’s subjective.
Three Western Carolina quarterbacks played against the Hogs, and poor Charlie Dean threw three of the four passes that were picked off by Arkansas defenders.
New linebacker Brad “Greedy” Spence (6-2, 237) made the meal out of his, dashing it back 85 yards for a touchdown.
A native of the Houston area, Spence committed to Arkansas yet still looked around, finally settling on the Razorbacks and reporting early, so he could participate in spring drills — where he shined frequently.
KJ Jefferson (6-3, 242) has been banged up in his career, but he excelled last Saturday, going 18-for-23 for 246 yards (hitting the magical double-digit-yards-per-throw average that pro scouts adore, at 10.7), with three TDs and a pick.
Use a ball-point pen to predict another double-digit outing for him against Kent. And of reserve Jacolby Criswell’s two throws, one went into the end zone. Five tailbacks will handle the ball for the Hogs.
A trio of receivers will thrive Saturday, highlighted by Jaedon Wilson (6-3, 179), who averaged nearly 28 yards on three receptions last week and scored once. Fellow Texan Andrew Armstrong (6-4, 201) nabbed five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Isaac TeSlaa (6-4, 216) snatched three passes for 66 total yards and a TD.
What’s worse for Kent State, Kee’Yon Stewart, a slick cornerback who transferred from TCU, will return for this game. He had been suspended for the opener after being arrested for reckless driving and speeding.
Kent State vs. Arkansas Prediction
This will be one of the day’s lopsided games, and the vast difference in talent and depth might result in Arkansas having this one covered by halftime.
Our Pick: Razorbacks
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