Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls
Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
UB Stadium – Buffalo, New York
Opening Line: Buffalo -2 1/2
Current Line: Buffalo -3 1/2
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 52
Opening Money Line: Buffalo -150 / Kent State +130
Current Money Line: Buffalo -160 / Kent State +140
The Kent State Golden Flashes and Buffalo Bulls meet for the 19th time ever Wednesday in the MAC opener for both teams. The series is tied at 9 games apiece, but they haven’t played since 2009. The Bulls won that game on the road 9-6.
It is difficult to know what to make of these teams. Both are 1-1 with blowout wins over FCS schools, and were routed by SEC schools. Both are in the same division as Ohio, the only undefeated team left in the MAC.
Kent State is coached by Darrell Hazell. The Golden Flashes opened the season with a 41-21 win at home against Towson, and then were thumped 47-14 at Kentucky. The Flashes are averaging 338 yards per game, including 195.5 passing yards and 141.5 rushing yards. On defense, Kent St is allowing 427.5 yards per game, including 300 passing yards and 127.5 rushing yards. The Golden Flashes are being outscored 34-27.5 this season. Kent St is 1-1 ATS and the total is 1-0 this season.
Kent St was a 6 point underdog in their last game at Kentucky, and the total was 47. The Golden Flashes scored late in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead, but Kentucky scored 17 second quarter points to make it 17-7 at halftime. The Flashes pulled to within 17-14 at the beginning of the third quarter. However, the Wildcats would score the last 30 points of the game, including 4 touchdowns and a safety to win 47-14.
The Golden Flashes gained 409 yards including 182 rushing yards. The Wildcats had 539 total yards, including 354 passing yards. The Golden Flashes lost a fumble for the only turnover of the game. Kent St had 5 penalties for 35 yards, and Kentucky had 4 penalties for 50 yards. Really, the difference in the game was Kent State’s inability to stop the big play. Kentucky had touchdown runs of 67 and 38 yards, and a touchdown pass 56 yards.
Kent quarterback Spencer Keith has played seven straight games dating back to last season without throwing an interception. This season he has completed 38 of 62 passes (61.3%) for 309 yards with no touchdowns or picks. He does have a rushing touchdown though. Back-up David Fisher threw a touchdown pass in the Towson game. Running back Trayion Durham has 36 carries, 141 yards, and a touchdown, along with 5 catches for 29 yards. He is questionable with an arm injury for the Buffalo game. Dri Archer has 16 carries for 132 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 5 catches for 37 yards. Receiver Josh Boyle has 9 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. Chris Humphrey has 6 catches for 50 yards. Receiver Tyshon Goode is questionable with a hamstring injury, but hasn’t played in the first two games of the season.
Buffalo is coached by Jeff Quinn. The Bulls lost at Georgia 45-23 to open the season, and then won at home 56-34 against Morgan St. Buffalo is averaging 459 yards per game, including 206.5 passing yards, and 252.5 rushing yards (#17 nationally). On defense, the Bulls are giving up 425.5 yards per game, including 211.5 passing yards and 214 rushing yards. The Bulls are 108th in rushing defense out of 124 teams. Buffalo is averaging 39.5 points per game and also giving up 39.5 points per game. The Bulls are 1-1 ATS and the total is 1-0 this season.
The Bulls were 32 point favorites at home in their last game against Morgan St, and there was no total. Morgan St kicked an early field goal, but Buffalo scored two first quarter touchdowns to take the lead for good. The Bulls outscored the Bears 21-10 in the second quarter to expand their lead to 35-13. Buffalo was up 56-27 at the end of the third, and had a chance to cover the huge number. However, Morgan St scored a late touchdown to make the final 56-34.
Buffalo had 571 total yards including 306 rushing yards. Running back Brandon Oliver had a huge game with 25 carries for 238 yards and two touchdowns. James Potts had only one carry but it went for a 49 yard touchdown. Quarterback Alex Zordich was 16 for 21 passing for 237 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. The interception was the only turnover of the game for either team. Back-up Joseph Licata also threw a touchdown pass when the game was decided. Morgan St had 366 total yards including 201 rushing yards. Buffalo had 12 penalties for 117 yards and 8 penalties for 85 yards. Morgan St had 8 penalties for 85 yards.
Zordich has completed 30 of 45 passes (66.7%) for 385 yards, with 5 touchdowns and an interception. He also has 16 carries for 93 yards with a touchdown. Oliver has 55 carries for 349 yards with 3 touchdowns. Neutz has 13 catches, 206 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Kent St is 5-0 ATS on fieldturf, 4-1 in conference games, and after a straight up loss, 5-2 after giving up more than 450 yards, and overall, 4-10-1 after failing to cover, 3-8 after scoring 20 points or less, 3-9 in road games, 1-5 after a straight up loss, and 0-6 in September.
Buffalo is 8-17 ATS overall, 5-11 at home, 3-8 after failing to cover, 4-11 in conference games, 2-6 after allowing 200 rushing yards or more, 1-3-1 after a straight up win of 20 points or more, 2-7 after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 2-81 after a straight up win, 1-4 on fieldturf, 1-8-1 after a bye week, and 0-5-1 after rushing for 200 yards or more.
Buffalo has been terrible against the run so far this season, but Kent St throws the ball more than they run. Even if Durham can’t go, they still have a good running back in Archer. I think the Golden Flashes can do some damage on the ground and pull off the mild upset on the road.
Get this week’s college football picks now. Our handicappers will help you crush the books this season.
