Kent State Golden Flashes - NCAA Football Odds, Lines & Betting

The Golden Flashes were wildly inconsistent in 2006 and coach Doug Martin’s mission in 2007 will be to blunt the periods of lousy play. He has 16 starters coming back to campus this fall, which he hopes will set the table for generating more points from his team.  The Golden Flashes were 100th in scoring offense and 75th in total offense in 2006, and with nine returning starters, there should be no excuse for repeating those numbers. 

QB Julian Edelman (55.4%, 1,859 yards, 10 TD, 11 INT, 658 rush yards, 7 TD) was a perfect microcosm of Kent State’s season, and he is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.  This could mean heavier workload for running back Eugene Jarvis, who ran 185 times for 798 yards.  Leading receiver Najah Pruden is also gone, so Jarvis should be the lynchpin of the Kent State attack.  The defense saved Kent State on plenty of occasions last season, ranking 24th in the NCAA for total defense.  The Golden Flashes were especially stingy against the pass, finishing 10th in the nation, and cornerback Jack Williams (four picks) is a big part of that group.   Andre Kirkland was the team’s leading tackler, as well as co-leader in interceptions, and someone will have to fill his shoes at safety.  Defensive end Kevin Hogan must repeat his 2006 production until the secondary can get settled.  Linebacker Stevon Moss will hold down the middle of the field, but lack of depth in that area is a concern for Martin. 

Road trips to Akron, Ohio State and Ohio in midseason will be a good indicator of where the Golden Flashes stand in the MAC, before they get a chance to avenge 2006’s 41-41 disaster to Buffalo in the season finale.  The consistency of Edelman and the secondary will be crucial to Kent State challenging Ohio in the MAC West.

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