Kent State Golden
Flashes
Spread
+52.5
NCAAF Predictions
Kent State Golden Flashes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Predictions
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 12:00pm EST at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
@
Ohio State
Buckeyes
Spread
-52.5
50%
50%
Spread
Kent State Golden Flashes +52.5
Ohio State Buckeyes -52.5
Moneyline
Kent State Golden Flashes
Ohio State Buckeyes
Total
Over 59.5 (-102)
Under 59.5 (-118)
Who wins this game?
Professional Picks
2 available
Professional Picks On This Game
Scott Steele
Total pick
Percy Walker
Total pick
Kent State at Ohio State prediction: Pass on Buckeyes -52.5
Analysis updated September 18, 2026 at 5:24 AM CDT
Ryan Day wants more pressure from his defense. Ohio State is the likely winner, but covering SPF’s spread requires a victory by at least 53 points.
Ohio State needs more from its pass rush
Ohio State’s pass rush is a focus heading into Saturday’s game against Kent State. Eleven Warriors, an Ohio State sports publication, reported that Ryan Day wants his team to generate more pressure. At SPF’s Ohio State -52.5, defensive stops would help sustain the scoring margin the Buckeyes need, but Day’s stated goal isn’t evidence that improvement will follow.
Day also said linebacker Qua Russaw returned against Texas after missing a couple of weeks and expects him to play better this week. Offensive lineman Sam Greer is healthy after a camp injury, though Day’s desire to get him involved doesn’t establish how much he’ll play.
Winner and betting decision
Eleven Warriors reports that Ohio State is coming off a loss to Texas, while Kent State is 1-1 after losing at South Carolina and beating Wofford. Ohio State is the likely winner, consistent with its heavy-favorite status. Those results alone don’t establish a case for either side of this spread. Pass.
SPF lists the total at 58.5, with over -120 and under +100. Without reliable scoring or efficiency comparisons, there’s no clear basis for choosing either side of that number. The total is also a pass.
Pick
Ohio State Buckeyes
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass