Kent State-Western Michigan
Time: 7 PM ET, Sept 28
Spread: KENT -2
M/L: KENT -130; WM +110
O/U: 51

Odds courtesy of 5dimes

Kent State has reeled off three straight losses since its opening week victory over Liberty. Sept 7, the Golden Flashes badly lost to Bowling Green 41-22, and predictable outcomes against LSU (45-13) and Penn State (34-0) have rendered the Flashes 1-3 on the season. There may be help on the way in the form of opponent Western Michigan this week, as college football oddsmakers at 5dimes set the line 2 points in favor of Kent State.

Offense has been hard to come by for the Flashes. The team has generated just 175.3 yards per game and managed just 13 points per contest. Colin Reardon has been reasonably accurate (60.2 percent) in throwing for 648 yards, and the dual-threat QB has 99 rushing yards, too, but Trayion Durham needs to get more yards per carry than 3.1, and he’s the only back to speak of since Anthony Meray has also failed to generate much yardage. Reardon is a freshman and figures to be a good fixture for Kent State as they build an even stronger receiving corp around the 6’1″ 202 pound QB.

Western Michigan has only been in one game all season, a 27-23 loss to Nicholls State in week 2. Bad losses to Michigan State, then-No. 17 Northwestern and Iowa have left the Broncos at 0-4. This week may be the team’s best chance for victory, though the Broncos are not without hope in the MAC. The Broncos have struggled to generate offense and average just 210.8 yards per game.

Tyler Van Tubbergen has been wildly inaccurate with a completion ratio of just 44.1 percent and 7 INTs., and the backfield has had just middling success. Corey Davis has hauled in a lot of receptions and accounts for 2 of the 4 receiving TDs. Van Tubbergen is going to have to be more accurate since Kent State will have no problem putting points on the board.

KEN

0-3-1 ATS in last 4 on turf; UNDER 6-1 in last 7 after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing previous game; 5-24 ATS in last 29 after accumulating less than 275 total yards the previous game.

WM

0-4 ATS in last 4 on turf; 4-0-1 ATS last 5 after accumulating less than 170 yards passing previous game; 14-2-1 ATS in last 17 after accumulating less than 275 total yards previous game

Head-to-head: Home team 4-0 ATS in last 4 mtgs; Favorite 5-0 ATS in last 5 mtgs.

Check out Maddux Sports’ seasons picks for the 2013 College football season!