Kent State vs. Florida State Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 20, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Saturday, the Kent State Golden Flashes will play the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Week 4 NCAAF action. The Seminoles are 45-point spread favorites, and the game total is 56 points scored. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
This Kent State vs. Florida State prediction highlights a Golden Flashes team that's dropped consecutive games and a 'Noles squad that made a statement in its season opener against Alabama. This is the first-ever football matchup between these programs.
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Kent State has struggled on offense
Kent State (1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS, and 2-1 O/U) went winless a season ago, becoming the first winless team in a full season since the 2019 Akron Zips. Kent went just 1-23 in two seasons under head coach Kenni Burns, who was replaced by interim coach Mark Carney in April.
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The Golden Flashes won their season opener against Merrimack, but lost 62-14 at Texas Tech and 31-28 to Buffalo in their next two games. While the loss to the Red Raiders was a lopsided one, they covered the 48.5-point spread, and they were much more competitive than expected last week, losing by a field goal as 24-point underdogs. Still, it was Kent's 24th straight loss against an FBS opponent.
The Golden Flashes' quarterback situation is a work in progress, as senior CJ Montes (140 passing yards) won the starting job but is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Redshirt freshman Dru DeShields has passed for 513 yards with a 4:0 TD:INT ratio in his absence. Montes transferred from Fordham, where he was All-Patriot-League in 2023 after passing for 2,997 yards and a 27:1 TD:INT ratio. The ground game has been ineffective, as Kent averages 2.6 yards per carry, and freshman RB Cade Wolford is the team's top pass catcher.
The Golden Flashes score 21.0 points per game (104th) and average 319.0 total yards (114th), including 217.7 passing yards (78th) and 101.3 rushing yards (124th). Kent State's defense surrenders 36.7 points (126th) and 469.3 total yards (129th) per game, including 288.3 passing yards (127th) and 181.0 rushing yards (113th).
Kent State Golden Flashes Football Injury Report:
C. Wilson OG Questionable - Undisclosed J. Nubin RB Questionable - Undisclosed A. Fisher WR Questionable - Undisclosed D. Kargman QB Questionable - Undisclosed D. Delaney Jr. RB Questionable - Undisclosed G. Dial DL Out - Undisclosed J. Davis DL Questionable - Undisclosed T. Miller CB Questionable - Undisclosed C. Montes QB Questionable - Undisclosed
Florida State has looked impressive early
Florida State (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS, and 2-0 O/U) is coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, making the Seminoles' Week 1 win over Alabama a significant one. Boston College transfer QB Tommy Castellanos passed for 152 yards and rushed for 78, as FSU dominated on the ground (46 carries for 236 yards). The Crimson Tide were a combined 8-for-22 on third and fourth down in the 14-point loss.
The Seminoles sustained their momentum the following week, beating non-Division I East Texas A&M 77-3. They outgained the Lions 729-197 in total yards, averaging 18.4 yards per pass and rushing for 361 yards. Florida State was off last week, with five straight games scheduled before its next bye.
Castellanos has reinvigorated the stale FSU offense, completing 68 percent of his passes with four total touchdowns and zero picks. The Seminoles spread the football around in their first two games, with multiple backs sharing the rushing load to combine for 5.9 yards per carry. Junior WR Duce Robinson has flashed as the team's top pass-catcher, hauling in seven passes for 191 yards and two scores.
Florida State scores 54.0 points per game (3rd) and averages 555.5 total yards (11th), including 260.0 passing yards (42nd) and 295.5 rushing yards (42nd). The Seminoles' defense allows 10.0 points (15th) and 269.0 total yards (30th) per game, including 173.0 passing yards (36th) and 96.0 rushing yards (32nd).
Florida State Seminoles Football Injury Report:
R. Pittman Jr. TE Questionable - Undisclosed J. Rawls CB Questionable - Undisclosed R. Williams RB Out - Undisclosed E. Pritchard LB Out - Undisclosed
Kent State vs. Florida State Pick
Spread Pick for Kent State vs. Florida State
- Seminoles -45 (4 Units)
Florida State had no issues running up the score in its last game, even with a run-heavy offense. I don't expect a different result this week, especially with FSU coming off a bye week. The Seminoles have played with a chip on their shoulders and will be ready to make another statement against a Golden Flashes squad that has really struggled against FBS opponents over the last few seasons and lost by 48 earlier this season to Texas Tech. Kent State kept it close last week, which should get Florida State's full attention in this one. That's a scary thought for Kent supporters.
Over/Under Pick for Kent State vs. Florida State
- Over 56 (4 Units)
Four of FSU's last five games have gone over the total. After a 77-point performance and a week off, I anticipate another huge number on the scoreboard by the nation's third-ranked offense. The Golden Flashes have poorly defended both the run and the pass, and have typically let games get out of hand in the second quarter (-8.7 point differential). FSU will jump out to an early lead and pile on the points before halftime, and Kent State is too weak to stop its reserves in the second half. I won't be shocked if Florida State pushes the total over 56 points on its own.
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