The Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee, FL. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Florida State is favored by -45 points on the spread, and the total is set at 56.5 points.
Here’s my Kent State vs. Florida State prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Kent State vs Florida State Prediction
- Kent State vs. Florida State Pick: Over 56.5
My Florida State vs. Kent State best bet is on the over. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kent State vs Florida State Odds
| Kent State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+45 -110 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Florida State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-45 -110 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
- Kent State vs Florida State point spread: Florida State -45
- Kent State vs Florida State over/under: 56.5 points
Kent State vs Florida State Preview
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview: DeShields Impressed But Doubts Are Still There
After snapping a 21-game losing streak with a season-opening win against Merrimack, Kent State was blown out at Texas Tech.
However, it was resilient last week in the MAC opener against Buffalo. As a 24.5-point underdog, Kent State nearly beat Buffalo outright, losing 31-28 on a last-minute touchdown.
Freshman Dru DeShields will be looking to build off a strong performance against Buffalo. He went 22-for-32 for 279 yards and two touchdown passes. He's thrown for a touchdown in each of his first three starts, but he could be in for a long afternoon in Tallahassee.
Kent State's offense ranks 112th in total offense and 132nd in success rate. Against Texas Tech, the Golden Flashes didn't score in the first half and only mustered two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
They'll have to deal with fast and aggressive defense this week, which may be problematic, considering they're 116th in havoc allowed. DeShields was sacked three times last week.
Defensively, the Golden Flashes have just three sacks and three turnovers through the first three games. They rank 104th in success rate allowed and 129th in havoc.
Texas Tech was able to put up 601 yards of total offense, with over 200 on the ground and through the air.
Don't be surprised if the Seminoles have similar success.
Florida State Seminoles Betting Preview: Castellanos Lights Up Seminoles New-Look Offense
After an abysmal 2-10 season, Florida State entered 2025 looking for a resurgent campaign. However, with just a 6.5 win total and as a two-touchdown underdog at home against Alabama, expectations may not have been too high.
However, don't tell that to quarterback Tommy Castellanos.
The Boston College transfer called his shot at Alabama over the summer and then led the Seminoles to a 31-17 upset victory while accounting for 230 total yards and a touchdown. Following a 77-3 thumping of East Texas A&M and a bye week, Florida State is up to No. 7 in the AP Top 25.
Thus far, Castellanos has been a great fit with new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. The Seminoles rank second in the FBS in scoring offense at 54 points per game.
Six different players have combined for nine rushing touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy has been particularly dangerous on reverses with 32- and 53-yard touchdown runs.
USC transfer Duce Robinson has made an immediate impact, with seven catches for 191 yards while hauling in touchdown receptions for 82 and 42 yards last week.
Robinson, a Florida State legacy, will look to follow his performance that earned him ACC Player of the Year with another strong performance during Family Weekend at Florida State. He's helped Florida State rank third in explosiveness this season.
Kent State vs Florida State Pick, Betting Analysis
While I still have some reservations about Florida State as a top-10 team, I expect it to look the part this week.
In Kent State's last 10 non-conference games, it's allowed 45.9 points per game. It's allowed over 50 points in six of those games and is facing a Florida State team fresh off a 77-point performance while having two weeks to prepare.
Florida State has been known to dominate inferior opponents in recent years, even while being dreadful last season. Since 2022, it's scored 47, 49, 66, 58, 41 and 77 points against Group of Five/FCS opponents at home.
With the total at 56.5, Florida State can clear this number by itself, with the weather not expected to be a factor.
However, Kent State may contribute a touchdown or two as it did against Texas Tech, so I'll be backing the over, opposed to Florida State's team total.
Pick: Over 56.5 (Play to 58.5)
