Kent State vs. Florida State Prediction and Picks for Saturday, September 20th, 2025
The #7 Florida State Seminoles (2-0, 0-0 ACC) are back in action this week when they host the visiting Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2, 1-1 MAC). We’ve got you covered with our Kent State vs. Florida State prediction. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 ET from Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. Looking to win big this football season? We have the best College Football Picks to help you out!
Golden Flashes Edged Out by Bulls
Coach Mark Carney is in his first season as the interim coach of the Kent State Golden Flashes, and his squad got the 2025 campaign started with a 21-17 victory over Merrimack in week 1. They followed the victory up with losses to #24 Texas Tech (62-14) and Buffalo (31-28), the latter of which was a conference game. Kent State is 0-1 in conference play and 1-2 overall. This program has struggled in recent seasons, going just 1-23 (0-16 MAC) across the last two years.
In terms of personnel, it’s Dru DeShields under center for the Golden Flashes this season. The signal caller has thrown for 513 yards on a 61.4% completion rate, adding four touchdowns and no interceptions. His top target is RB Cade Wolford, who has 223 yards and four touchdowns on seven catches. Fellow RB Gavin Garcia leads the rushing attack with 135 yards on 45 carries (3.0 YPC).
- From a sports betting perspective, the expectations aren’t high for Kent State, as they have the longest price (+25000) to win the MAC title.
- Offensively, the Golden Flashes are scoring 21.0 points per game (86th), while averaging 326.0 yards per week (100th).
- Defensively, they’re 131st in the country this year, conceding 46.5 points per game. They’re allowing 534.0 yards per contest, which is 130th.
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#7 Seminoles Stay Perfect at 2-0
Coach Mike Norvell and his Florida State Seminoles are coming off of an extremely disappointing 2024 campaign, where they went just 2-10 (1-7 ACC). They’ve already matched that win total in 2025, getting out to a 2-0 start with wins over #8 Alabama (31-17) and East Texas A&M (77-3). The Noles were idle last weekend, and they’ll start conference play next weekend on the road against Virginia.
Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos has taken the reins of the offense this year. He has looked solid out of the gate, throwing for 389 yards on a 68.0% completion rate, adding three touchdowns and no picks. WR Duce Robinson is his top target out wide, hauling in seven passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Micahi Danzy is the top rusher despite having only four carries. He has 109 yards and two touchdowns through two games.
- The Seminoles have an updated win total of 8.5 (-175/+140), and they’re priced at +700 to win the ACC championship.
- Florida State’s offense has been solid this season, ranking 39th in scoring (31.0 PPG), while putting up 382.0 yards per game (60th).
- On the defensive side, the Seminoles are solid this season, allowing 17.0 points per game (32nd). In terms of yardage, they’re 52nd, conceding 341.0 yards per contest.
Kent State vs. Florida State Pick
Spread Pick for Kent State vs. Florida State
- Florida State Seminoles -45.5 (-108) (5 units)
Florida State has already proven that it can stretch out massive leads against inferior opponents, as they just hammered East Texas A&M 77-3 in their latest game. This was on the heels of dropping 31 points on #8 Alabama, so it’s safe to say that this offense is firing on all cylinders. The Seminoles also had a bye week in week 3, so they’re well-rested and ready for another tune-up performance before conference play starts.
With a spread this high, we’re going to need the defense to be sharp. Florida State’s defense is allowing only 10.0 points per game against Alabama (17) and East Texas A&M (3). Now they’ll take on a Kent State squad that isn’t too overpowering. I think Florida State’s defense holds up well enough to help get the cover. Kent State is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games, as well as going 1-7 ATS in its last eight September contests.
Over/Under Pick for Kent State vs. Florida State
- Over 56.5 (-110) (5 units)
I can see Florida State’s offense scoring into the 60s and clearing this total by themselves. They’ve seen the over cash in four of their last five games dating back to 2024. Mostly, this is all about the matchup against a horrible Kent State defense. The Golden Flashes are allowing 46.5 points per game (131st) against FBS-level competition. They’re also conceding over 500 yards per contest!
On the flip side, Kent State did just put up 28 points against Buffalo in its latest game. Their quarterback, Dru DeShields, has 513 passing yards and a 4/0 TD/INT ratio this season. This total feels a bit low, as I think we could see this game land in the 56-7 or 56-10 range. Give me the over.
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