Kent State Golden Flashes vs UCF Knights Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/31/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Thursday, August 31, 2023

Venue:  FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Kent State +36.5, UCF -36.5; Over/Under:  58.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Kent State +36, UCF -36; Over/Under:  58.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Kent State +36.5, UCF -36.5; Over/Under:  58.5 points

Kent State Golden Flashes:  0-0 (MAC East)

UCF Knights:  0-0 (Big 12)

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Kent State Golden Flashes:  N/A

UCF Knights:  N/A

Kent State finished last season with a 5-7 record overall and they had a 4-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 3-2 in their home games, 2-5 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 28.4 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 29 points per game. Their offense also averaged 417.3 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 433.3 yards per game. Collin Schlee led the team in passing yards with 2109, Marquez Cooper led the team in rushing yards with 1326, and Devontez Walker led the team in receiving yards with 921.

 

 

 

Central Florida finished last season with a 9-5 record overall and they had a 6-2 record in their conference games too.  They were 5-2 in their home games, 4-2 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 32.9 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 23.6 points per game. Their offense also averaged 469.6 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 380 yards per game. John Rhys Plumlee led the team in passing yards with 2586, John Rhys Plumlee led the team in rushing yards with 862, and Javon Baker led the team in receiving yards with 796.

The current betting odds have Central Florida listed as a 36.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Central Florida had a good season last year as they finished with a 9-5 record overall and they were also 6-2 in their conference games too. Kent State was only 4-4 in their conference games last season and finished the season with a losing 5-7 record as they just missed out on a bowl game. They did have a pretty good team last season that did not perform well but they were also decimated in the transfer portal and have lost a lot of the talent that they did have. Central Florida is also playing their 1st season in a new conference this year as they have joined the Big 12 now so they are going to be looking to make a good 1st impression by obliterating a much weaker team from a much weaker conference here. Kent State was a better team last year than they are this season and they already struggled a lot in their road games last season going 2-5 in those. UCF was really good in their home games though with a 5-2 home record and they also have a great atmosphere there that makes it really tough for opponents to go in and play well. The best way to place a bet here is on Central Florida to cover the spread in this game.

Kent State UCF Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Thursday, August 31, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is UCF 66 Kent State 20.

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Kent State Golden Flashes: 1-7 ATS when the total is between 56.5 and 63. 14-23 ATS in the first two weeks of the season. 21-13 UNDER when the total is between 56.5 and 63. 9-5 UNDER in road games. 

UCF Knights: 22-13 ATS as a home favorite of 21.5 or more points. 13-6 ATS in a home game where the total is between 56.5 and 63. 9-4 UNDER as a home favorite. 9-4 UNDER in home games. 

Kent State Golden Flashes:  None.

UCF Knights:  None.

“He had a great fall camp, and he solidified himself as our starter.” - Kenni Burns on Michael Alaimo winning the starting QB position.

“I knew there was a great chance for us to go to a Power Five league; I just didn’t know it would be the Big 12. So, futurewise, this will be really, really good.” - Gus Malzahn on his expectations for this season.

WR Harris, Trell 

WR Floriea, Luke 

TE Junker, Hayden 

QB Kargman, Devin 

RB Williams, Xavier 

WR Baker, Javon 

WR Hudson, Kobe 

WR Townsend, Xavier 

TE Holler, Alec 

QB Plumlee, John Rhys 

RB Harvey, RJ 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Kent State Golden Flashes: Kenni Burns (1st season)

UCF Knights: Gus Malzahn (3rd season)