Throw out what you know of Kent State football from the years past, it’s a new era for the Golden Flashes. In this new era, the Kent State season predictions aren’t quite as friendly as you’d come to expect.
Kent State Season Predictions: Predicting the Game-By-Game Results
Using groupthink, College Football Network analysts have painstakingly gone through every game for every team in the MAC and across the country.
Find Every MAC Season Prediction per team: Ball State | Central Michigan | Eastern Michigan | Northern Illinois | Toledo | Western Michigan | Akron | Bowling Green | Buffalo | Kent State | Miami (OH) | Ohio
Picking these games straight up with a projected score using the rosters as up-to-date as the last spring practice, the Kent State season predictions indicate what to expect for the Golden Flashes in 2023.
Week 1 – Kent State @ UCF: Loss, 23-30
With back-to-back Power Five road games to start their season two years in a row, Kent State clearly isn’t afraid to test themselves against the best. UCF enters Big 12 play this season and gets a tough one to start.
But expect the Bounce House to be rocking for this one and Kent State’s trip to Orlando to come up a bit short. UCF and QB John Rhys Plumlee are a fast bunch with a lot to prove in 2023. They kick things off right with a performance that gives more questions than answers for Kent State.
Week 2 – Kent State @ Arkansas: Loss, 20-42
An even tougher opponent for their Week 2 matchup presents themselves as Kent State travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas. The Razorbacks host a talented roster on both sides of the ball, none more notable than their quarterback KJ Jefferson.
Jefferson has the ability to defeat the GOlden Flashes in a number of ways, both with his legs and his arm, but is a cerebral player who knows just when and where to take his shots. Kent State’s roster is not nearly complete enough to compete with Arkansas for a full game.
Week 3 – Kent State vs. Central Connecticut: Win, 46-15
Finally, a game with winnable circumstances as the Golden Flashes head home in Week 3. Kent State should be able to get back on track and start looking ahead after hosting Central Connecticut here.
The Blue Devils should present issues with their defense in 2023, but even with Devin Kargman or whatever direction Kent State chooses to go at quarterback at the helm, the Golden Flashes are more talented at every turn.
Week 4 – Kent State @ Fresno State: Loss, 28-33
Back on the road again, Kent State heads to Fresno State for a meeting with one of the favorites in the Mountain West. Fresno State landed former UCF QB Mikey Keene in the transfer portal and have a talented set of receivers on the offensive side of the ball.
Their defense should be above average but the quarterback play and overall offensive prowess under coach Jeff Tedford will be too much to overcome for Kent State.
MORE: MAC QB Rankings 2023
Week 5 – Kent State vs. Miami (OH): Loss, 23-24
Our analysts were split on this game but the total points scored in our predictions gave Miami (OH) the advantage. All this means is that this is a marquee matchup for Kent State and a winnable contest at that.
The Golden Flashes will certainly have to figure out their quarterback situation by this point of the season and whether Kargman is the man or the recently signed Michael Alaimo is the answer remains to be seen.
Week 6 – Kent State @ Ohio: Loss, 22-30
The projected MAC East champions welcome Kent State in Week 6 as Ohio and Kurtis Rourke are the odds-on favorite to make another appearance in the MAC Championship Game. Rourke is the best quarterback in the MAC and out to prove himself after his season ended on a sour note last year.
The Bobcats did a great job of adding talent through the transfer portal and lost very little in the meantime. They have an offensive advantage on the ground and through the air over the Golden Flashes in this one.
Week 7 – Kent State @ Eastern Michigan: Loss, 26-29
Likely more of a toss-up game between these two, Eastern Michigan gets the advantage of being at home in what should be a close outing. Kent State’s defense will be tested against Samson Evans on the ground and with a few lucky bounces, this one could go the other way.
Week 8 – Kent State vs. Buffalo: Loss, 20-21
After knocking off Buffalo last season by limiting Cole Snyder, the Bulls largely had little to play for to close out their regular season. This year, the matchup comes earlier and means a bit more for each program.
Snyder and the Bulls’ replenished their receiving corps through the transfer portal and should have the ability to take flight over Kent State’s secondary in 2023.
Week 10 – Kent State @ Akron: Win, 26-19
The battle for Northeastern Ohio supremacy, the Wagon Wheel should continue to belong to Kent State after this game. The Golden Flashes have won four straight against their rivals, but Akron holds a distinctive seven-game advantage over Kent State.
Still, DJ Irons and Co. could give Kent State a handful in this outing as his dual-threat ability will be on display against Kent State’s depleted front seven. It’s once again a must-watch TV event for this one.
Week 11 – Kent State vs. Bowling Green: Loss, 19-28
In what was a disastrous outing for Bowling Green last season against Kent State presents another chance for the Falcons to exact revenge. With Connor Bazelak in hand and the MAC’s best 1-2 punch at wide receiver, this group should be able to throw on every secondary they face in conference play.
Week 12 – Kent State @ Ball State: Win, 26-25
Last season’s game was closely contested and this one should be no different when Kent State travels to Muncie. The Ball State offense is in flux after being decimated in the transfer portal but they have some key defensive players returning that should make their names known this year.
If Kent State can figure out all they need to figure out early on and stay healthy in 2023, this could be a way to close out the season on a high note with a winnable back half of their schedule.
Week 13 – Kent State vs. Northern Illinois: Loss, 19-22
Northern Illinois is still just two years removed from beating this very Kent State team in the MAC Championship Game in 2021. Yet, these programs feel very far off in terms of total talent.
Kent State lost their talent by losing their head coach and the portal, while Northern Illinois has not been able to rebound to their Championship levels without a solid quarterback. The Huskies bark louder, and defeat their MAC rivals as Kent State’s tough 2023 season comes to a close.
