The Kent State Golden Flashes take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
South Carolina is favored by -36.5 points on the spread. Kent State, meanwhile, enters as a +36.5 underdog and is +5500 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 53.5 total points.
Here are my Kent State vs. South Carolina prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 5.
Kent State vs South Carolina Prediction
- Kent State vs. South Carolina Pick: Over 53.5 (-110)
My South Carolina vs. Kent State best bet is on the over. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kent State vs South Carolina Odds
| Kent State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+36.5 -110 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | +5500 |
| S. Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-36.5 -110 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | |
- Kent State vs South Carolina point spread: Kent State +36.5 (-110), South Carolina -36.5 (-110)
- Kent State vs South Carolina over/under: 53.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Kent State vs South Carolina moneyline: Kent State +5500
Kent State vs South Carolina College Football Preview
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview: Room for Improvement
Kent State improved drastically last season compared to the two prior seasons, when the Flashes were 1-23 straight up and 5-17-2 ATS.
Quarterback play limited what Kent State could do offensively, but it went much deeper than that.
The coaching regime was dysfunctional, and head coach Kenni Burns was dismissed for cause after a two-season stint.
Mark Carney raised his hand, claimed he wanted to take the position, and went to work building culture from the inside out. It made a difference.
Kent State went 4-4 in MAC play last season, and you could argue it should have won two other games.
Quarterback Dru DeShields gives the offense an electric playmaker in a conference that doesn’t have a lot of them at the QB position. DeShields threw for 2,030 yards with an 18:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and he displayed poise that increased weekly.
Jakorion Caffey and Donovan Delaney Jr. are capable backs who can impact the run game, which struggled badly last season.
There's some explosiveness in the receiver room with Da’Realyst Clark and Ardell Banks, and the tight ends have great size for a MAC tight end room.
The offensive line has some returning production and should be more productive than last season, when the unit improved by allowing fewer Havoc plays and sacks. Tyler Meadows, Dustyn Morell and Jaxon Dunn provide stability.
The Kent State defense isn't strong; however, the unit cut yards per game and points per game allowed drastically from 2024 to last season.
Thomas Aden and Darian Blachewicz are solid interior pieces to be excited about, and if the young defensive ends can create a little pressure, the front could be formidable in MAC play.
They won't get pressure here against South Carolina, but there are pieces to build around.
Rocco Nicholl is a solid linebacker, but three sophomores are starting in the secondary and could get exposed in this game.
South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview: Revamped Offense
South Carolina had a disastrous offensive season last year, spearheaded by poor offensive line play that has become par for the course.
The ground attack was pedestrian, and South Carolina allowed more than 40 sacks for the third straight season.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has shined at times, but he has experienced pressure far too frequently.
In comes offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to take over the offense, so we're going to get a big change in philosophy. Expect to see deep shots, pace, vertical passing and points.
Sellers is going to exceed expectations in the revamped offense, and the receiver room is loaded. Nyck Harbor, Nitro Tuggle and Mazeo Bennett Jr. can win one-on-one battles and should register plenty of explosive receptions against Kent State.
Matt Fuller shined at running back in the spring, and three transfers provide rotational depth.
The offensive line is revamped with seven transfers, many of whom were starters at their previous stops. The unit has size and experience, and will perform better after three brutal seasons. This offense will score plenty of points here.
The defense will create havoc, and the back end is built on speed and versatility. Caleb Herring, Kelby Collins, and Tomiwa Durojaiye transfer in to join Dylan Stewart along the defensive line, which has a clear mission to create more pressure.
The linebacker room has a pair of underrated players in Justin Okoronkwo and Fred Johnson. The secondary is returning a pair of starters, but depth is strong, and the unit is full of experience. Quay'sheed Scott is a great add coming over from Kentucky.
Kent State vs South Carolina Pick, Betting Analysis
South Carolina is a favorite by 36.5 points, with a total of 53.5. I like the over in this matchup, and we have a play logged in the Action Network App from earlier in the summer.
South Carolina will hit explosives in this game, and the pace will wear down the Kent State defense. We should see increased levels of downfield passing shots, and Sellers will connect on those chunk plays.
The ground game will keep Kent State’s defense honest but still will be effective. The size disparity in the trenches will keep Sellers upright, and we should get a full three quarters out of Sellers with South Carolina having just an FCS opponent on deck.
Kent State will throw the ball here, and while the offensive output won't be exceptionally high, the Flashes need to develop some rhythm out of the passing game.
The defense has surrendered 55 or more points in five of the last six games against P4 competition, and South Carolina will threaten to score that in this game.
With South Carolina's change in pace and passing-game philosophy, I think this total is a hair too low.
Pick: Over 53.5 (-110)
Kent State vs South Carolina Betting Trends
