Kent State at Florida State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Kent State logo   Kent State Golden Flashes at Florida State Seminoles  Florida State logo
Saturday, September 20th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
Florida State -44.5 (56.5) (0)  Open: -45.5
Florida State 66 - Kent State: 10

 
Golden Flashes (5 - 7) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 23)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 6)
FSU coming off BYE
KENT is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Florida State -29  (SP+ FSU -27)

Projected Score: KENT: 14 - FSU: 43 (57)
FSU Win prob: 100% | Cover: 53%
KENT Travel: 758 miles
Seminoles (5 - 7) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Mike Norvell (33 - 27)
Avg Score : 33 - 22 (43 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
 
Kent State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kent State vs Merrimack-5.550.5W 21 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Kent State at Texas Tech+48.560.0L 14 - 62OY
Sat 9/13 Kent State vs Buffalo+23.548.5L 28 - 31OY
Sat 9/20 Kent State at Florida State+44.556.5L 10 - 66ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Kent State at Oklahoma+46.553.5L 0 - 44UY
Sat 10/11 Kent State vs Massachusetts-1.549.5W 42 - 6UY
Sat 10/18 Kent State at Toledo+25.548.5L 10 - 45ON
Sat 10/25 Kent State vs Bowling Green+7.547.5W 24 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Kent State at Ball State+3.048.5L 13 - 17UN
Tue 11/11 Kent State at Akron+7.549.5W 42 - 35OY
Wed 11/19 Kent State vs Central Michigan+7.550.5L 16 - 28UN
Fri 11/28 Kent State at Northern Illinois+5.045.0W 35 - 31OY

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent State's Schedule
Florida State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Florida State vs Alabama+13.550.5W 31 - 17UY
Sat 9/6 Florida State vs East Texas A&M-43.556.5W 77 - 3OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Florida State vs Kent State-44.556.5W 66 - 10OY
Fri 9/26 Florida State at Virginia-7.059.5L 38 - 46ON
Sat 10/4 Florida State vs Miami+3.554.5L 22 - 28UN
Sat 10/11 Florida State vs Pittsburgh-10.556.5L 31 - 34ON
Sat 10/18 Florida State at Stanford-17.555.5L 13 - 20UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Florida State vs Wake Forest-12.550.5W 42 - 7UY
Sat 11/8 Florida State at Clemson+1.556.5L 10 - 24UN
Sat 11/15 Florida State vs Virginia Tech-13.553.5W 34 - 14UY
Fri 11/21 Florida State at NC State-7.058.5L 11 - 21UN
Sat 11/29 Florida State at Florida-1.548.5L 21 - 40ON

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Florida State's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)21.333% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)33.650% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9
FSU#125 (.06)35% (128)3340% (103)2.9 (92)9131% (130)1802.88 (131)#112 (.25)41% (56)2242% (62)39% (52)3.62 (46)47.91.80.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
FSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Offense1221.317.730.5%2.891.713233781552.447%51%33%29%28%.01
FSU Defense122216.140.8%3.620.5 - - - - - 56%44%42%39%14%.25
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Defense1233.642.950.1%4.340.9 - - - - - 55%45%50%51%12%.35
FSU Offense123343.335.4%2.881.815271911802.946%54%40%31%21%.06

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kent State1226:5212.919%38%4.835.71.70.94.71.5027.2
Florida State1227:1115.229%63%5.647.91.80.55.82126.3
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENT Offense1247% (91)33% (132)32.377.52.43 (134)-.07 (132)2.57 (128)61% (123)19% (134)0.95 (72)
FSU Defense1256% (119)42% (62) - - - - .2 (109)3.06 (81)80% (111)10% (77)1.1 (114)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENT Defense1255% (113)50% (123) - - - - .3 (132)3.58 (133)81% (115)8% (111)1.13 (122)
FSU Offense1246% (101)40% (103)31.490.82.98 (130).07 (101)2.9 (92)68% (103)15% (130)0.87 (118)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Offense1251% (54)29% (134)11.624.5155.46.313.418 (68)13 (103).14 (109)2.1 (2)41% (134)19% (134).11 (132)8% (128)2.7 (1)
FSU Defense1244% (15)39% (52) - - - - - - 4 (125).34 (110)1.8 (120)33% (45)34% (110).52 (127)5% (116)2.3 (121)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Defense1245% (25)51% (130) - - - - - - 4 (125).41 (126)1.5 (23)28% (124)38% (127).42 (109)4% (127)1.8 (15)
FSU Offense1254% (35)31% (130)14.929.6180.36.112.111 (122)13 (103).04 (130)1.8 (20)39% (133)26% (113).24 (102)6% (62)2.1 (28)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -19.68  #130
Kent State's Offense Rating: 2.18  #129
Kent State's Defense Rating: 21.86  #121
2025 Talent Rating: 516.00  #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #101
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -19.3  #130
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.9  #120

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.68   Florida State: 9.68

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.3   Florida State: 7.2




Florida State's Power Ratings
Florida State's Power Rating: 9.68  #49
Florida State's Offense Rating: 19.67  #30
Florida State's Defense Rating: 12.51  #59
2025 Talent Rating: 938.00  #17
Blue Chip Ratio: 45  #17
Florida State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Florida State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.2  #41
Florida State's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.3  #54
Florida State's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.2  #38

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.7
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.9

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 2 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 4 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Florida State 43
Kent State 14


Projected Total Points: 57
Florida State Scoring
Offense: 33 PPG
Offense at Home: 43.3
Defense: 22 PPG
Defense at Home: 16.1

Florida State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record at home: 5 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/20Florida State66Kent State10Florida State -44.5Florida State56.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Florida State111 Overs
Kent State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#130) KENT at (#49) FSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENTFSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #130 #49
SP+SP+ #130 #41
Perf GradeGrade #128 #28
OffenseOff #119 #21
DefenseDef #126 #65
Spec TeamsST #116 #41
TalentTal #115 #17
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #17
Kent State Notes
(11/28) Beat NIU to finish 4-3. Incredible job by Mark Carney
(11/5) Coaching malpractice by Carney vs Ball St
(11/5) Blew game vs Ball St. Coaching & stupidity
(10/31) Huge W over BG, but BG had no one at QB
(10/31) WR Cade Wolford a name to know, 26.3 ypc, 6 TD
(10/31) QB Deshields can play, just so bad on OL/DL
(10/30) Mark Carney interim no more, permanent HC
(9/13) Off much improved vs Buffalo. Impressive
(9/10) Two QB system w/ Deshields and Montes. Meh
(9/6) Physically does not look like FBS level ball
(8/30) QB DeShields/Montes meh, Run Off awful
(4/11) HC Burns fired, OC Carney Int HC for '25
Kent State Injury Report
Florida State Notes
(12/16) FSU looks like they aren't serious about 2026
(11/23) Norvell will return in '26. Fund road slate now
(11/22) A straight 0-8 in road ACC games past 2 years
(10/20) Rumors sound toxic, player leadership void
(10/19) Norvell lost 4 straight, 4 times now. 1-11 ACC run
(10/19) OG'd Stanford by 150, still lost for the 4th straight time
(10/19) Castellanos knocked out of Stanford game, dirty hit
(10/12) Norvell w/o Jordan Travis is 7-21.
(10/11) LBs lack speed and huge liability in coverage
(10/11) Noles have lost their last 8 ACC conference games
(9/26) Tackling a huge issue vs UVA, allowed 450+ in L
(8/30) Outrushed Bama 230-87, Cast quick, efficient
Florida State Injury Report
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffFSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #119 #65
SuccessSuc #134 #56
ExplosiveExp #1 #114
PPAPPA #131 #112
PowerPwr #129 #59
SP+SP+ #125 #38
Pts POPPO #130 #46
HavocHav #134 #98
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffFSU Def
Run GameRun #128 #29
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #62
Run ExplRExp #72 #114
PPAExp #132 #109
Run BlockR Blk #96 -
OL YdsOLY #128 #81
Stuff RateStuff #126 #88
TackleTak -  #44
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffFSU Def
Pass GamePass #108 #106
Pass SuccessPSuc #134 #52
Pass ExplPExl #2 #120
PPAExp #109 #110
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #136 #93
F7 HavocF7 #134 #77
DB HavocDB #128 #116
Florida State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatFSU OffKENT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #21 #126
SuccessSuc #128 #131
ExplosiveExp #58 #79
PPAPPA #125 #133
PowerPwr #30 #121
SP+SP+ #54 #120
Pts POPPO #131 #115
HavocHav #129 #127
Florida State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
FSU OffKENT Def
Run GameRun #28 #122
Run SuccessRSuc #103 #123
Run ExplRExp #118 #122
PPAExp #101 #132
Run BlockR Blk #36 -
OL YdsOLY #92 #133
Stuff RateStuff #85 #133
TackleTak -  #98
Florida State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatFSU OffKENT Def
Pass GamePass #9 #132
Pass SuccessPSuc #130 #130
Pass ExplPExl #20 #23
PPAExp #130 #126
Pass Block/RushP Blk #14 #58
F7 HavocF7 #130 #111
DB HavocDB #62 #127
Program Comparison
FSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Field at Doak Campbell Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 4
Florida State -44.5 (56.5)
Florida State won vs Kent State this year (66-10)

Previous Matchups
Florida State beat Kent State last year (66-10)

  
KENT's OC Mark Carney (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
CJ Montes (Tr)101953%140117.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Garcia14664734.445
Jordan Nubin (Tr)7925313.225
Jahzae Kimbrough399702.512
Cade Wolford129718.131
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cade Wolford19509726.879
Dashawn Martin33507415.475
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Kody Morgan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Woods9411231
CJ Young898323
Joel Cordoba662011
Jaire Rawlison522106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663
CJ Young898323
Jelani Davis (Tr)244340
Mason Woods9411231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison522106
Terrell Miller301006
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663

FSU's OC Gus Malzahn (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Thomas Castellanos (Tr)18030958%27601598.9
Kevin Sperry121771%1942011.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Thomas Castellanos (Tr)13755794.126
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Ousmane Kromah7240805.723
Samuel Singleton5136047.153
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Duce Robinson (Tr)561074619.282
Micahi Danzy27571321.166
Lawayne McCoy27403314.934
Randy Pittman (Tr)2320829.035

View Florida State's Full Roster

FSU's DC Tony White (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Earl Little II762002
Ashlynd Barker485412
Darrell Jackson442110
Blake Nichelson437111
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mandrell Desir308711
Ashlynd Barker485412
Stefon Thompson (Tr)374410
Daniel Lyons264240
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Edwin Joseph374005
Earl Little II762002
Jeremiah Wilson (Tr)421002