The Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on TNT.
Texas Tech is favored by 48.5 points. Kent State, meanwhile, comes in at +4000 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The total is set at 58.5 points.
Here’s my Kent State vs. Texas Tech prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 6.
Kent State vs Texas Tech Prediction
- Kent State vs. Texas Tech Pick: Over 58.5
My Texas Tech vs. Kent State best bet is for both teams to go over the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kent State vs Texas Tech Odds
| Kent State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+48.5 -105 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | +4000 |
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-48.5 -115 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | |
- Kent State vs Texas Tech Spread: Texas Tech -48.5, Kent State +48.5
- Kent State vs Texas Tech Over/Under: 58.5
- Kent State vs Texas Tech Moneyline: Kent State +4000
Kent State vs Texas Tech College Football Betting Preview
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview: Flashes to Struggle in Lubbock
For Kent State, Week 1 was far more enjoyable than it had been over the past two years. The Golden Flashes snapped a 21-game losing streak by beating Merrimack, 21-17, at home.
Quarterbacks Dru DeShields and CJ Montes each threw a touchdown pass to Cade Wolford as they combined for over 200 yards with no interceptions.
For Wolford, those were both the first two catches and touchdowns of his career. The redshirt freshman will be a name to watch this week.
Junior Da'Realyst Clark sealed the victory with a 100-yard kickoff return.
However, there were still a couple of concerns from last week.
Against an FCS Independent in Merrimack, Kent State averaged 3.1 yards per carry on non-sack rushes and had just two runs over 10 yards in 34 attempts. It also surrendered three sacks after giving up 43 last season.
This week, it will step up in class against a Texas Tech team that upgraded its defensive line in the offseason. It will likely lose the battle in the trenches, which may also lead to turnovers.
Defensively, Kent State had just 18 sacks and 11 turnovers last season. It ranked last in the FBS in scoring defense and total defense, giving up 44 points and 516 yards per game.
There are nine newcomers in the two-deep, with seven transfers and two freshmen. However, the unit is likely to struggle once again, particularly this week.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview: Raiders Set to Roll Again
Texas Tech was one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, and the early returns were positive as the Red Raiders cruised to a 67-7 over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Quarterback Behren Morton is coming off a 3,000-yard season and was very efficient in the season opener, going 16-for-20 for 201 yards and four touchdowns. He may not complete 80% of his passes again, but I'd expect another gaudy stat line against the Golden Flashes.
Cameron Dickey is the lead candidate to replace Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher, Tahj Brooks. He went for 90 yards and a touchdown in the season opener. Adam Hill and J'Koby Williams combined for 134 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.
The Red Raiders had perfect balance in Week 1, nearly passing (314) and rushing (294) for 300 yards while almost having a 50/50 run/pass split.
Texas Tech recorded its third-highest rushing total in a game in the last 25 years. It did whatever it wanted against an FCS opponent and should have similar success this week.
Defensively, the Red Raiders run a 3-3-5 with 4-2-5 principles.
Texas Tech is the fourth stop for Romello Height, who will man their "DOG" position. Height was one of four Red Raiders transfers to record a half-sack last week, along with David Bailey, Lee Hunter and Skyler Gill-Howard.
The Red Raiders will be without Miquel Dingle Jr., who plays their "STAR" position. He left the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game and didn't return.
Kent State vs Texas Tech Pick, Betting Analysis
In three games against Power Four opponents last season, Kent State allowed 60.6 points per game.
Texas Tech has been known for its high-powered attacks since Mike Leach roamed the sidelines. Joey McGuire is trying to help the Red Raiders get back to those levels, but against inferior opponents, they're already there.
In its last three home games against Group of Five or FCS opponents, Texas Tech is averaging 61.6 points.
For this matchup, the total sits at 58.5. The Red Raiders likely account for most of that, but I don't anticipate a shutout. With that in mind, I'll be backing the full-game total instead of the Red Raiders' team total.
Pick: Over 58.5 (Play to 59.5)
