Buffalo at Kent State Game Matchup
Buffalo logo Buffalo Bulls at Kent State Golden FlashesKent State logo
Saturday, September 13th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH  (Mid-American)

 
Bulls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pete Lembo (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 29 - 26 (20 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#35)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 11)
Our Line: Buffalo -16   (SP+ BUFF -18)
Projected Score: BUFF: 37 - KENT: 21 (57)
BUFF Win prob: 88% | Cover: 54%
BUFF Travel: 183 miles
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 14 - 44 (20 - 38 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2.1 - 9.9 (#136)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
Buffalo's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Wed 8/27 Buffalo at Minnesota+18.50.0
Sat 9/6 Buffalo vs St. Francis (PA)-16
Sat 9/13 Buffalo at Kent State-16
Sat 9/20 Buffalo vs Troy+0.5
Sat 9/27 Buffalo vs UConn+1
Sat 10/4 Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan-9.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Buffalo at Massachusetts-12.5
Sat 10/25 Buffalo vs Akron-14.5
Sat 11/1 Buffalo at Bowling Green-3.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/12 Buffalo at Central Michigan-3.5
Wed 11/19 Buffalo vs Miami (OH)-6.5
Fri 11/28 Buffalo vs Ohio+1

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Buffalo's Schedule
Kent State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Kent State vs Merrimack+2.5
Sat 9/6 Kent State at Texas Tech+41
Sat 9/13 Kent State vs Buffalo+16
Sat 9/20 Kent State at Florida State+36.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Kent State at Oklahoma+47.5
Sat 10/11 Kent State vs Massachusetts+1.5
Sat 10/18 Kent State at Toledo+27.5
Sat 10/25 Kent State vs Bowling Green+10
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Kent State at Ball State+6
Tue 11/11 Kent State at Akron+9.5
Wed 11/19 Kent State vs Central Michigan+10
Fri 11/28 Kent State at Northern Illinois+18

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kent 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
BUFF#77 (.17)40% (104)28.838% (115)2.7 (117)15342% (70)1764.22 (41)#72 (.17)43% (82)26.443% (71)43% (97)3.84 (74)39.311.5
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)13.933% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)44.150% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9
 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
BUFF0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BUFF Offense1328.82039.6%4.221173291531764.255%45%38%42%17%.17
KENT Defense1244.138.250.1%4.340.9 - - - - - 55%45%50%51%12%.35
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BUFF Defense1326.433.742.8%3.841.5 - - - - - 46%53%43%43%18%.17
KENT Offense1213.920.430.5%2.891.713233781552.447%51%33%29%28%.01

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
Buffalo1326:2017.234%52%439.311.56.32.2231.2
Kent State1226:5212.919%38%4.835.71.70.94.71.5027.2
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
BUFF Offense1355% (36)38% (115)36.2153.34.223 (52).08 (96)2.7 (117)61% (122)10% (84)1.11 (17)
KENT Defense1255% (113)50% (123) - - - - .3 (132)3.58 (133)81% (115)8% (111)1.13 (122)
 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
BUFF Defense1346% (21)43% (71) - - - - .08 (47)3.01 (68)63% (16)12% (35)0.94 (45)
KENT Offense1247% (91)33% (132)32.377.52.43 (134)-.07 (132)2.57 (128)61% (123)19% (134)0.95 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BUFF Offense1345% (99)42% (70)14.225.2175.8712.419 (65)6 (10).29 (47)1.5 (80)33% (97)31% (75).34 (66)6% (89)1.9 (106)
KENT Defense1245% (25)51% (130) - - - - - - 4 (125).41 (126)1.5 (23)28% (124)38% (127).42 (109)4% (127)1.8 (15)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BUFF Defense1353% (109)43% (97) - - - - - - 12 (39).28 (91)1.7 (97)32% (58)29% (40).18 (18)7% (38)2.2 (100)
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)

Buffalo's Power Ratings
Buffalo's Power Rating: -7.85 #87
Buffalo's Offense Rating: 8.44 #101
Buffalo's Defense Rating: 16.29 #78
2025 Talent Rating: 552.00 #94
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #99
Buffalo's 2025 Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2
Buffalo's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.1 #91
Buffalo's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.2 #104
Buffalo's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3 #78

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 528.62
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31

Power Ratings Matchup
Buffalo: -7.85   Kent State: -23.695

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Buffalo: -7.1   Kent State: -24.9




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -23.695 #135
Kent State's Offense Rating: 0.40 #134
Kent State's Defense Rating: 27.89 #132
2025 Talent Rating: 452.00 #118
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 2.1 - 9.9
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -24.9 #136
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.6 #134
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 40.6 #133

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 528.62
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31


Buffalo Scoring
Offense: 28.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 20
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.7

Buffalo's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Buffalo 37
Kent State 21

Projected Total Points: 57
Kent State Scoring
Offense: 13.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 20.4
Defense: 44.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 38.2

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/26Buffalo43Kent State7BuffaloBuffalo -23.5Buffalo50.5Under
202310/21Kent State6Buffalo24BuffaloBuffalo -6.5Buffalo44.0Under
202211/26Buffalo27Kent State30Kent StateBuffalo -4.5Kent State51.0Over
202110/09Kent State48Buffalo38Kent StateKent State -7Kent State66.0Over
202011/28Buffalo70Kent State41BuffaloBuffalo -7.5Buffalo70.0Over
201911/14Kent State30Buffalo27Kent StateBuffalo -6Kent State54.5Over
201811/06Buffalo48Kent State14BuffaloBuffalo -17Buffalo44.5Over
201709/30Kent State13Buffalo27BuffaloBuffalo -7.5Buffalo41.0Under
201610/08Buffalo20Kent State44Kent StateBuffalo -2Kent State42.5Over
201511/05Kent State17Buffalo18BuffaloBuffalo -3Kent State43.5Under
201310/26Kent State21Buffalo41BuffaloBuffalo -2Buffalo0
201209/19Buffalo7Kent State23Kent State
200911/27Kent State6Buffalo9Buffalo
200811/28Buffalo21Kent State24Kent State
200711/24Kent State23Buffalo30Buffalo
200611/04Buffalo41Kent State14Buffalo
200511/12Kent State6Buffalo10Buffalo
200411/06Buffalo7Kent State33Kent State
200311/22Kent State34Buffalo24Kent State
200210/26Buffalo12Kent State16Kent State
200110/20Kent State35Buffalo13Kent State
200011/03Buffalo20Kent State17Buffalo
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State1056 Overs
Buffalo1264 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 136 - 54 - 22 - 3
Road Teams13 - 95 - 63 - 22 - 4

(#87) Buffalo Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -7.85 #87
Offense Rating: 8.44 #101
Defense Rating: 16.29 #78
Overall SP+ Rating: -7.1 #91
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.2 #104
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3 #78
Talent Rating: 552.00 #94
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #99
Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 45%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 40%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.22 PPO
Awful Run Success 38%
Bad Pass Success 42%
Bad OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Bad Defense Success Rate of 43%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.84 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 43%
Poor Pass Def Success 43%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


Buffalo Notes
(3/26) QB Roberson (KSU) added, some depth
(3/26) RB Henderson (1k LY) back, some depth
(3/26) WR Snow back, have depth options for 2/3
(3/26) OL bad LY, 4/5 back, confident w/ no portals?
(3/26) Def OK LY, inconsistent, returns a ton
(3/26) Only added 5 portals, QB, 2 LB, 2 DBs
(3/26) Lembo/staff incredible job LY 9-4, bowl W
(3/26) A lot returning in '25, must find a QB though
Buffalo     Ratings Matchup     Kent State
Power #87
#135
Off #101
#134
Def #78
#132
Talent #94
#118
SP+ #91
#136
SP+ Off #104
#134
SP+ Def #78
#133

Previous Matchups
Buffalo beat Kent State last year (43-7)
Buffalo beat Kent State in 2023 (24-6)
Kent State beat Buffalo in 2022 (30-27)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: BUFF | KENT
Depth Chart: BUFF | KENT
Rosters: BUFF | KENT
(#135) Kent State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -23.695 #135
Offense Rating: 0.40 #134
Defense Rating: 27.89 #132
Overall SP+ Rating: -24.9 #136
Offense SP+ Rating: 15.6 #134
Defense SP+ Rating: 40.6 #133
Talent Rating: 452.00 #118
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #99
Expected Record: 2.1 - 9.9

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 47%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 30%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.89 PPO
Awful Run Success 33%
Awful Pass Success 29%
Poor OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 50%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.34 PPO
Awful Run Def Success 50%
Awful Pass Def Success 51%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position


Kent State Notes
(4/11) HC Burns fired, OC Carney Int HC for '25
(3/26) QB Kargman some exp, glorious hair
(3/26) RB rebuild, awful LY, Nubin (Minn) added.
(3/26) WR rebuild, surprisingly decent depth/options
(3/26) OL worst in CFB, 3/5 back, only 2 portals?
(3/26) Def near worst, 6 portals, 4 DBs
(3/26) Worst CFB team of last 4 years LY


  
Buffalo's OC Dave Patenaude
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Gunnar Gray41136%41013.7
Ta'Quan Roberson (Tr)3743%18002.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Al-Jay Henderson204107895.368
Messiah Burch2915325.331
Lamar Sperling3915013.822
Terrance Shelton Jr.238803.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Victor Snow55651611.846
Al-Jay Henderson19238112.575
Messiah Burch999011.030
Nik McMillan576115.231

View Buffalo's Full Roster
Buffalo's DC Joe Bowen
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Khalil Murdock15617241
Solomon Brown662006
Dion Crawford5815942
Marquis Cooper553018
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kobe Stewart40121032
Dion Crawford5815942
Khalil Murdock15617241
Malin White213240
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marquis Cooper553018
Solomon Brown662006
Eddie Pleasant III110005

Kent State's OC Mark Carney
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Devin Kargman458255%432325.3
Ruel Tomlinson112839%73022.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jahzae Kimbrough2711404.218
Ayden Harris2911013.813
Jordan Nubin (Tr)111901.77
Cade Wolford41002.54
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jay Jay Etheridge1413719.837
Dashawn Martin8108013.527
Jordan Nubin (Tr)332010.719
Jahzae Kimbrough52404.811

View Kent State's Full Roster
Kent State's DC Kody Morgan
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Woods684001
Tevin Tucker652002
Canaan Williams463011
CJ Young342100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mattheus Carroll142100
CJ Young342100
Mason Woods684001
Jaihien Roy20000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
A.J. Campbell62012
Tevin Tucker652002
Mason Woods684001