The Ohio University Bobcats (2-2, 0-2 Away) and their powerful passing offense travel to face the Kent State University Golden Flashes (1-3, 1-0 Home), one of the country’s weakest aerial defenses, for a Mid-American Conference opener at Dix Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Flashes are 11.5-point favorites, and the total is 65.Ohio is coming off a 59-52 win over Fordham at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium last Saturday. Kurtis Rourke threw for 537 yards and four touchdowns. Nolan McCormick ran 17 times for 62 yards. He added seven receptions for 81 yards. Jacoby Jones caught six passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns.Kent State lost 39-22 to No. 1 Georgia at Sanford Stadium last Saturday. Collin Schlee was 14 of 21 for 188 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Marquez Cooper carried 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown and added two catches for 40 yards. Devontez Walker also scored once. He hauled in seven receptions for 106 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Golden Flashes won the only game between the teams last season, a 34-27 victory in October. Dustin Crum threw one touchdown and ran for another for Kent State, as Dante Cephas scored once.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bobcats are averaging 30.0 points per game so far this season, 75th in FBS, and they are facing a Golden Flashes defense that has surrendered 31.8 PPG (97th). Meanwhile, Kent State has scored 27.0 points a game this season, 91st in the country, and Ohio is allowing 44.8 PPG (127th). The Bobcats rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (313.8, 17th), while they are 115th in rushing yards (102.3). Look for them to take advantage through the air, as the Golden Flashes are 118th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (289.0). Against the run, Kent State is 89th (158.8).Kent State has been one of the nation’s least successful passing teams, averaging 178.8 passing yards per game (112th), while ranking 39th in rushing yards (189.3). Ohio’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Bobcats are worst in the country in passing yards allowed per game (376.3). Against the run, the Bobcats are 92nd (162.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Rourke has thrown for nine touchdowns (2 INT) and 298.8 yards per game to lead Ohio in passing. In two away games this season, he has one TD (2 INT) and an average of 156.5 yards passing. Sieh Bangura leads the team in rushing with an average of 55.7 yards a game over three games. He has one touchdown on the ground. James Bostic is the Bobcats’ leading receiver with 85.7 yards a game and one TD. Schlee has four passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 170.5 yards per game through four games to lead Kent State. In one previous home game this season, he threw for two TDs and 199 yards. Cooper has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 67.5 yards a game through four games. He has four touchdowns. Cephas has been the primary target in the Golden Flashes’ passing game. He has one touchdown and a 63.8 yard per game average through four appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Kent State (-400)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
