As the college football season heats up, the Eastern Michigan Eagles are gearing up to face the Kent State Golden Flashes in a crucial Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming game and why the Eagles are favored to come out on top.
Eastern Michigan's Strong Season Start
The Eastern Michigan Eagles have had a promising start to the season, boasting a 3-1 record. Their recent performance against St. Francis (PA) was particularly impressive, with a 36-0 victory that showcased their defensive prowess. In that game, the Eagles limited St. Francis to just 43 yards on 35 rushing attempts and registered six sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Jeremiah Salem had a perfect game, completing all 5 of his passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Zyell Griffin made a significant impact with an 89-yard scoring pass.
Kent State's Struggles
In stark contrast, the Kent State Golden Flashes are struggling, with a 0-4 record and a string of dismal performances. Their last two games were particularly bleak, with a 71-0 loss to Tennessee and a 56-0 defeat at the hands of Penn State. Against Penn State, Kent State managed only 67 total yards, including just 18 passing yards, and converted only one of 11 third-down attempts.
Kent State's offense has been a major issue, averaging just 10.25 points per game while their defense is giving up a staggering 51.3 points per game. The team's offense and defense are ranked 133rd and 134th in the league, respectively.
Betting Trends and Predictions
The betting odds heavily favor Eastern Michigan, with a spread of -14 to -15 points depending on the source. This reflects the bookmakers' confidence in the Eagles' ability to dominate the game.
Eastern Michigan has been consistent in covering the spread, with a 4-0 record against the spread this season and a 5-1 ATS record in their last six games. They have also shown a tendency to keep games low-scoring, especially on the road, which could influence the total points line.
On the other hand, Kent State has struggled to cover the spread, failing to do so in 11 of their last 12 games as an underdog. The Golden Flashes have also lost each of their last 13 games and have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games.
Matchup Analysis
When analyzing the matchup statistically, Eastern Michigan's defense stands out as a significant advantage. The Eagles' defense has been robust, ranking 45th in the league, while Kent State's offense has been one of the weakest, ranking 133rd. Eastern Michigan's ability to limit opponents' rushing attacks and their strong defensive performance against St. Francis (PA) suggest they will be able to contain Kent State's struggling offense.
Injury Concerns for Kent State
Adding to Kent State's woes are significant injury concerns. Quarterbacks Devin Kargman and JD Sherrod were both lost for the season in the first half against Penn State, and third-stringer Tommy Ulatowski is dealing with a finger injury that severely hampers his ability to grip the football. This depth issue at quarterback further diminishes Kent State's chances of mounting a competitive offense.
Conclusion
Given Eastern Michigan's strong form, Kent State's ongoing struggles, and the significant injury issues plaguing the Golden Flashes, it is likely that the Eagles will cover the spread comfortably. The total points line of 46.5 suggests a moderately scoring affair, but given the defensive strengths of Eastern Michigan and the offensive woes of Kent State, the under might be a safe bet.
As the game kicks off at 3:30 PM ET at Dix Stadium, fans can expect a dominant performance from the Eastern Michigan Eagles, solidifying their position in the MAC standings.
