Kent State at UCF - 2023 Matchup Preview

Kent State Golden Flashes at UCF Knights

Thursday, August 31st 2023 (7:00 PM EDT)
UCF -35 (54.0) (0) Open: 0.0
UCF 56 - Kent State: 6

Golden Flashes (1 - 11) (3 - 8 - 1)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 2)
Avg Score : 15 - 35 (12 - 39 on Road)
Record Prediction: 2.1 - 9.9 (#133)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: UCF -30.5 (SP+ UCF -31)
Projected Score: KENT: 12 - UCF: 42 (54)
UCF Win prob: 99% | Cover: 47%
KENT Travel: 866 miles

Knights (6 - 7) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Gus Malzahn (21 - 9)
Avg Score : 31 - 26 (40 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#51)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
KENT Players
UCF Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Kent State's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/31	Kent State at UCF	+35.0	54.0	L 6 - 56	O	N
Sat 9/9	Kent State at Arkansas	+38.0	57.5	L 6 - 28	U	Y
Sat 9/16	Kent State vs Central Connecticut	-21.5	46.5	W 38 - 10	O	Y
Sat 9/23	Kent State at Fresno State	+27.5	47.5	L 10 - 53	O	N
Sat 9/30	Kent State vs Miami (OH)	+14.0	51.5	L 3 - 23	U	N
Sat 10/7	Kent State at Ohio	+24.5	45.5	L 17 - 42	O	N
Sat 10/14	Kent State at Eastern Michigan	+7.0	40.0	L 14 - 28	O	N
Sat 10/21	Kent State vs Buffalo	+6.5	44.0	L 6 - 24	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Wed 11/1	Kent State at Akron	+4.0	39.0	L 27 - 31	O	Y
Wed 11/8	Kent State vs Bowling Green	+10.5	41.5	L 19 - 49	O	N
Sat 11/18	Kent State at Ball State	+10.5	41.5	L 3 - 34	U	N
Sat 11/25	Kent State vs Northern Illinois	+20.5	44.5	L 27 - 37	O	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule

UCF's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/31	UCF vs Kent State	-35.0	54.0	W 56 - 6	O	Y
Sat 9/9	UCF at Boise State	-3.0	58.5	W 18 - 16	U	N
Sat 9/16	UCF vs Villanova	-26.5	54.0	W 48 - 14	O	Y
Sat 9/23	UCF at Kansas State	+6.0	53.5	L 31 - 44	O	N
Sat 9/30	UCF vs Baylor	-8.0	56.5	L 35 - 36	O	N
Sat 10/7	UCF at Kansas	-2.0	65.0	L 22 - 51	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/21	UCF at Oklahoma	+17.0	67.5	L 29 - 31	U	Y
Sat 10/28	UCF vs West Virginia	-6.5	59.5	L 28 - 41	O	N
Sat 11/4	UCF at Cincinnati	-3.5	59.5	W 28 - 26	U	N
Sat 11/11	UCF vs Oklahoma State	+2.5	63.5	W 45 - 3	U	Y
Sat 11/18	UCF at Texas Tech	+2.0	59.0	L 23 - 24	U	Y
Sat 11/25	UCF vs Houston	-15.5	61.5	W 27 - 13	U	N
Fri 12/22	UCF vs Georgia Tech	-6.0	66.5	L 17 - 30	U	N

Important Stats (2023)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
KENT	#125 (.05)	35% (130)	14.7	32% (133)	2.84 (113)	106	40% (89)	165	3.27 (110)	#125 (.32)	45% (111)	34.6	47% (108)	44% (97)	4.88 (132)	46.2	1	0.8
UCF	#16 (.31)	45% (41)	31.3	47% (27)	3.28 (36)	228	43% (57)	259	3.76 (80)	#58 (.16)	47% (125)	25.8	51% (128)	43% (80)	3.79 (69)	50.1	1.4	1.2

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
KENT	#131 (.01)	30% (134)		33% (132)	2.57 (128)	78	29% (134)	155	2.89 (130)	#133 (.35)	50% (131)		50% (123)	51% (130)	4.34 (115)	35.7	1.7	0.9
UCF	#58 (.21)	46% (28)		52% (8)	3.62 (2)	248	38% (103)	200	3.75 (86)	#63 (.16)	40% (45)		37% (12)	42% (84)	4.37 (118)	54.4	1.6	0.9

Overall Stats 2023

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
KENT Offense	12	14.7	11.9	35.2%	3.27	1	15	270	106	165	2.9	53%	47%	32%	40%	19%	.05
UCF Defense	13	25.8	18.8	46.6%	3.79	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	56%	43%	51%	43%	12%	.16

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
KENT Defense	12	34.6	38.9	45%	4.88	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	56%	43%	47%	44%	13%	.32
UCF Offense	13	31.3	39.8	44.9%	3.76	1.4	23	487	228	259	5.6	56%	43%	47%	43%	15%	.31

Additional Stats 2023

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Kent State	12	28:49	15	30%	46%	5.4	46.2	1	0.8	4.1	0.9	0	28.4
UCF	13	28:52	23.1	49%	57%	6.1	50.1	1.4	1.2	4.2	1.7	0	26.6

Run Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
KENT Offense	12	53% (44)	32% (133)	36.8	105.9	2.9	8 (130)	-.03 (132)	2.84 (113)	67% (109)	12% (117)	0.91 (105)
UCF Defense	13	56% (121)	51% (128)	-	-	-	-	.23 (110)	3.39 (117)	81% (111)	7% (127)	0.99 (62)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
KENT Defense	12	56% (124)	47% (108)	-	-	-	-	.24 (117)	3.23 (98)	79% (107)	7% (131)	1.08 (106)
UCF Offense	13	56% (24)	47% (27)	40.7	228.2	5.6	28 (25)	.24 (19)	3.28 (36)	71% (93)	9% (48)	1.14 (10)

Pass Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
KENT Offense	12	47% (90)	40% (89)	13.3	25.5	164.5	6.5	12.3	11 (117)	6 (14)	.16 (110)	1.6 (72)	36% (122)	25% (112)	.18 (108)	7% (99)	2 (76)
UCF Defense	13	43% (11)	43% (80)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (37)	.17 (17)	1.4 (4)	29% (120)	34% (113)	.23 (33)	5% (120)	1.7 (1)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
KENT Defense	12	43% (14)	44% (97)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (120)	.44 (127)	1.8 (117)	32% (73)	31% (76)	.33 (79)	6% (91)	2 (55)
UCF Offense	13	43% (111)	43% (57)	17.6	28.2	258.8	9.2	14.7	24 (41)	11 (68)	.48 (12)	1.9 (5)	30% (30)	37% (15)	.52 (17)	6% (51)	2.2 (27)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -21.19 #133
Kent State's Offense Rating: 9.49 #124
Kent State's Defense Rating: 19.32 #132
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Kent State's 2023 Expected Record: 2.10 - 9.90
Kent State's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -26.4 #133
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 8.1 #133
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #115

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -21.19 UCF: 6.465

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -26.4 UCF: 4.5

UCF's Power Ratings
UCF's Power Rating: 6.465 #46
UCF's Offense Rating: 22.78 #23
UCF's Defense Rating: 11.34 #89
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 8 #53
UCF's 2023 Expected Record: 7.40 - 5.60
UCF's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.5 #48
UCF's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.4 #35
UCF's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.3 #54

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Kent State Scoring
Offense: 14.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 11.9
Defense: 34.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 38.9

Kent State's 2023 Record
Record: 1 - 11
Record vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 7
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 5 - 1
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 8 - 1
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0

Projected Score
UCF 42
Kent State 12

Total Points: 54

UCF Scoring
Offense: 31.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 39.8
Defense: 25.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.8

UCF's 2023 Record
Record: 6 - 7
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 7 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Winner	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2023	08/31	UCF	56	Kent State	6	UCF	UCF -35	UCF	54.0	Over
2004	11/23	UCF	24	Kent State	41	Kent State
2003	09/27	Kent State	36	UCF	16	Kent State

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
UCF	1	1	1 Overs
Kent State	2	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	2 - 1	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 2	0 - 1	0 - 0	0 - 1

(#133) Kent State Info
Power Rating: -21.19 #133
Offense Rating: 9.49 #124
Defense Rating: 19.32 #132
Overall SP+ Rating: -26.4 #133
Offense SP+ Rating: 8.1 #133
Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #115
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Expected Record: 2.10 - 9.90

Record on Road: 0 - 7 (1 - 5 - 1 vs Spread )

Kent State Highlights
Kent State has a great TO Margin (#54)

Kent State Deficiencies
Kent State has a really bad Offense
Kent State Can Not Run the Ball (#122)
Kent State offense is really bad (#134)
Kent State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#126)
Kent State run game is really bad (#135)
Kent State offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Kent State Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Kent State does not Sack the QB (#112)
Kent State has a bad defense (#66)
Kent State gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#87)
Kent State Does Not Stuff Runs (#39)
Kent State has a bad red zone defense (#89)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCat	UCF	KENT
OverallOver	#31	#110
OffenseOff	#19	#105
DefenseDef	#66	#102
Special TeamsST	#87	#76
PassingPass	#23	#70
RushingRush	#9	#97
Run BlockRBLK	#46	#101
Pass BlockPBLK	#12	#109
Route RunningWR Rt	#27	#55
TacklingTkl	#76	#100
Run DefenseR Def	#76	#100
Pass Rush DefPRush	#73	#98
Coverage DefCov	#51	#105

Rematch from Week 1
UCF -35.0 (54.0)
UCF won vs Kent State this year (56-6)

Previous Matchups
UCF beat Kent State in 2023 (56-6)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bright House Networks Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: KENT | UCF
Depth Chart: KENT | UCF
Rosters: KENT | UCF

(#46) UCF Info
Power Rating: 6.465 #46
Offense Rating: 22.78 #23
Defense Rating: 11.34 #89
Overall SP+ Rating: 4.5 #48
Offense SP+ Rating: 31.4 #35
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.3 #54
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 8 #53
Expected Record: 7.40 - 5.60

Record at home: 4 - 2 (3 - 3 - 0 vs Spread)

UCF Highlights
UCF has Really Good Running Game (#68)
UCF offense is explosive (#3)
UCF offense is good on 3rd downs
UCF defense does not give up big plays (#45)

UCF Deficiencies
UCF Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#108)
UCF has a bad defense (#40)
UCF has a bad defensive line (#59)

Kent State's OC Matt Johnson

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Michael Alaimo	79	144	55%	932	2	4	6.5
Tommy Ulatowski	60	121	50%	737	7	2	6.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Gavin Garcia	138	544	2	3.9	42
Jaylen Thomas	133	460	2	3.5	34
Xavier Williams	42	137	1	3.3	18
Tommy Ulatowski	47	89	1	1.9	39

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chrishon Mccray	41	610	4	14.9	42
Luke Floriea	39	414	4	10.6	43
Trell Harris	26	400	1	15.4	43
Jameel Gardner Jr.	24	298	1	12.4	50

View Kent State's Full Roster

Kent State's DC David Duggan

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Bryce Sheppert	75	1	0	2	7
Nick Giacolone	50	5	0	0	1
Stephen Daley	47	6	1	7	0
D.J. Miller	46	1	0	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
CJ Harris	31	6	2	0	1
Marcus Winfield	11	3	2	1	0
Macyo Williams	18	3	2	2	0
Stephen Daley	47	6	1	7	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Capone Blue	30	0	0	0	10
Bryce Sheppert	75	1	0	2	7
Alex Branch	32	2	1	0	3

UCF's OC Darin Hinshaw

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
John Rhys Plumlee	161	256	63%	2271	15	8	8.9
Timmy McClain (Tr)	64	102	63%	1065	9	3	10.4

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
RJ Harvey	226	1416	16	6.3	92
Johnny Richardson	87	573	1	6.6	79
John Rhys Plumlee	106	505	5	4.8	32
Xavier Townsend	15	163	0	10.9	39

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Javon Baker	52	1139	7	21.9	86
Kobe Hudson	44	900	8	20.5	75
Xavier Townsend	33	325	3	9.8	37
Alec Holler	24	244	2	10.2	38

View UCF's Full Roster

UCF's DC David Gibbs

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jason Johnson	104	6	3	0	1
Walter Yates	68	1	0	0	2
Lee Hunter	57	10	2	1	1
Tre'Mon Morris-Brash	50	16	9	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tre'Mon Morris-Brash	50	16	9	2	1
Malachi Lawrence	24	9	6	5	1
Jason Johnson	104	6	3	0	1
Lee Hunter	57	10	2	1	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
Corey Thornton	22	0	0	6
Quadric Bullard	28	0	0	3
Brandon Adams	19	1	1	2