The Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. EDT on FOX.
Ohio State is favored by 52.5 points on the spread, with the total set at 59.5 points.
Here are my Kent State vs. Ohio State predictions and college football picks for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Kent State vs Ohio State Prediction
- Kent State vs. Ohio State Picks: Ohio State -13.5 (1Q) | Ohio State -52.5 | Jeremiah Smith Over 118.5 Receiving Yards
My Ohio State vs. Kent State best bets are on the Buckeyes to start and finish strong, fueled in part by stud wideout Jeremiah Smith. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kent State vs Ohio State Odds
| Kent State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+52.5 -106 | 59.5 -118o / -104u | |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-52.5 -114 | 59.5 -118o / -104u | |
- Kent State vs Ohio State point spread: Ohio State -52.5 (-114), Kent State +52.5 (-106)
- Kent State vs Ohio State over/under: 59.5 (-118o / -104u)
Kent State vs Ohio State College Football Preview
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
While the Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a devastating loss to now top-ranked Texas, the Kent State Golden Flashes were able to secure a 21-point victory over the Wofford Terriers in a bounce-back spot after having gotten thrashed by South Carolina 57-0 in its season opener.
Unfortunately for Kent State fans, the blowout defeat to the Gamecocks is the key here. Wofford is an FCS program with minimal experience against FBS opponents.
Golden Flashes’ quarterback Dru DeShields looked decent in Kent State’s victory over Wofford, racking up 248 yards through the air with a touchdown. That said, he still threw two interceptions versus an FCS-level opponent.
In the matchup vs. South Carolina, it was much worse. DeShields struggled mightily, recording just 63 passing yards. Ohio State's defense is unequivocally better than the Gamecocks'.
To make matters worse, Kent State is getting nothing out of the run game, with Mason King rushing for just 94 yards over the team’s first two contests.
The Golden Flashes’ defense wasn't much better in that game against South Carolina. Head coach Mark Carney’s bunch won't be able to match up with a loaded Ohio State offense looking to make a huge statement following last week's humiliation.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Buckeyes Beatdown
It was definitely a long week of practice for Ryan Day’s squad following their horrific fourth-quarter collapse against Texas, which we'll be hearing about for the rest of the season.
Don't be surprised if Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and the rest of this Buckeye offensive unit keep their foot on the gas for a full 60 minutes against poor Kent State in a game that will likely get out of hand quickly.
Ohio State is averaging 521.5 yards of offense and 39.5 points per game over its first two contests with Arthur Smith as its new offensive coordinator, while the Golden Flashes have scored just 36 points all season.
Sayin and Buckeye phenom wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should pose a significant mismatch for a Kent State defense that allowed 57 points to South Carolina in its first game of the season. Running back Bo Jackson has also looked impressive and given the offense balance with 157 rushing yards and a touchdown over his first two games.
Day’s bunch will need to impress against what is at best a mediocre MAC squad before navigating a challenging conference schedule.
Despite losing several key members of last season’s defense, the Buckeyes defensive unit has been largely impressive over the team’s first two games — they limited the Arch Manning-led Longhorns offense to three points through three quarters. But the collapse must sting, so look for the Buckeyes to be sharp on defense this week.
Ohio State has a lot to prove following Saturday's loss to Texas, having fallen from the nation’s top-ranked team to sixth in the latest polls. It could be the wrong place and wrong time for Kent State.
Kent State vs Ohio State Pick, Betting Analysis
You've got to love Ohio State in this massive bounceback spot on Saturday afternoon, following one of the most difficult losses of Ryan Day’s tenure in Columbus.
Kent State had no answers for a LaNorris Sellers-led Gamecock offense that isn't on the same level as this Buckeyes unit featuring two Heisman contenders, Sayin and Smith.
Feel confident backing the Buckeyes to get off to a hot start at home and cover the 13.5 first-quarter spread with -130 juice.
This game will get out of hand early, but Ohio State won't let up after Texas left a sour taste in its mouth, so expect the Buckeyes to cover the massive full-game spread of -52.5 as well.
Finally, you should feel great backing Smith to exceed his 118.5 receiving total. Buy into another monster performance from arguably the best player in college football.
Picks: Ohio State -13.5 (1Q) | Ohio State -52.5 | Jeremiah Smith Over 118.5 Receiving Yards
