Massachusetts Minutemen at Kent State Golden Flashes and Prediction for Saturday, October 11, 2025
Use Code WWWC Two of the worst teams in college football will square off this Saturday in MAC play as winless Massachusetts (0–5, 0-1 MAC) visits Kent State (1–4, 0-1 MAC). Both programs have gotten off to a rough start, ranking near the bottom nationally in most major statistical categories.
On paper, Kent State owns the nation’s worst defense, surrendering over 500 yards and 44 points per game, while UMass sits dead last in scoring offense with just 10.4 points per game. The Golden Flashes’ lone win came against FCS Merrimack in Week 1, whereas UMass has yet to win since last October.
Check out the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kent State Golden Flashes prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF Picks
UMass still winless
UMass has been overmatched in nearly every game this season, losing all five of its games and all four games against FBS foes by double-digits. Last week, UMass lost at home to Western Michigan 21-3, as a 13-point underdog. That was their first MAC game ever.
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To lead the offense this season, quarterback AJ Hairston has thrown for only 290 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions on a 47.5% completion rate. The rushing attack has been nonexistent, averaging 61.2 yards per game and ranking 135th nationally. Receiver Jacquon Gibson has been the lone bright spot with 358 receiving yards, but the offense struggles mightily in the red zone and has been unable to consistently sustain long drives.
On defense, UMass allows 440.4 yards and 35.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom in every major metric. The run defense has been soft at 191.6 yards allowed per contest, and the secondary gives up 248.8 yards through the air.
Kent State is favored
Kent State has faced a brutal schedule and has been outscored 270–73 since their Week 1 win. Quarterback Dru DeShields has thrown for 642 yards and five touchdowns, but the offense averages just 259.6 yards per game and 14.6 points, ranking 133rd in scoring. DeShields is listed as questionable for this game and missed their loss to Oklahoma last Saturday (37-0). Gavin Garcia leads the team in rushing with 183 yards, but on only 2.9 yards per carry, and has yet to score. Wide receiver Cade Wolford leads the team with 242 yards and four touchdowns on only 10 receptions. The Flashes rank 118th nationally in red zone efficiency, scoring on 75% of trips.
The challenging schedule has contributed to some terrible defensive numbers. Kent State allows 507.6 yards per game, including 245.2 on the ground and 262.4 through the air. They have forced only two turnovers and give up 44 points per game, the highest in the FBS.
UMass vs Kent State Predictions
- Kent State -2.5 (5 units)
Despite their ugly defensive numbers, Kent State has faced the No. 2 toughest schedule in the nation according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. That level of competition should pay off here. If there’s a team worse than Kent State in the FBS, it’s UMass, which got out-gained and outplayed by Bryant earlier this season.
Kent State has slightly more offensive balance and gets the benefit of playing at home. Their passing game should find success against a UMass secondary that has been repeatedly torched this year. Look for the Golden Flashes to finally break through with a much-needed win.
Total Prediction
- Under 50.5 (4 units)
As bad as Kent State’s defense has been, they’re facing a UMass offense that has yet to score more than 10 points against an FBS opponent this season. The Minutemen struggle to sustain drives and rarely finish possessions in the red zone.
On the other side, Kent State hasn’t looked like a team capable of consistently moving the ball without the benefit of a busted coverage or explosive play. Both squads rank near the bottom nationally in yards per play and third-down conversions, which makes it hard to trust a high total here.
With two inefficient offenses and plenty of stalled drives likely, this matchup sets up as an ugly, low-scoring battle rather than a shootout. The Under is the safer play based on what both teams have shown so far.
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