Kent State at South Florida - 2026 Matchup Preview
Kent State logo   Kent State Golden Flashes at South Florida Bulls  South Florida logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, FL

 
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#94)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
KENT coming off BYE
USF is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: South Florida -27  (SP+ USF -31)
Projected Score: KENT: 17 - USF: 44 (61)
USF Win prob: 98% | Cover: 56%
KENT Travel: 912 miles
Bulls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Brian Hartline (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 41 - 23 (51 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9.9 - 2.1 (#9)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 9)
 
Kent State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Kent State at South Carolina+28.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Kent State at Ohio State+49
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Kent State at South Florida+27

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
South Florida's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 South Florida vs Florida International-19
Sat 9/12 South Florida at Army-7.5
Sat 9/19 South Florida vs Delaware State-31
Sat 9/26 South Florida at Bowling Green-19.5
Sat 10/3 South Florida vs Temple-15
Thu 10/8 South Florida at UTSA-5
Sat 10/17 South Florida vs Kent State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 South Florida vs UAB-25.5
Fri 11/6 South Florida at East Carolina-2
Thu 11/12 South Florida vs Memphis-4.5
Sat 11/21 South Florida at Florida Atlantic-13.5
Fri 11/27 South Florida vs Tulane-8.5

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

Predictions for South Florida's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#112 (.09)36% (126)21.336% (130)2.54 (129)9838% (111)1973.42 (98)#93 (.19)43% (86)33.644% (90)43% (77)4.29 (123)48.81.10.8
USF#12 (.31)46% (21)40.547% (26)3.33 (13)21246% (28)2764.45 (17)#20 (.07)38% (21)23.438% (14)38% (37)3.15 (28)611.51.9
 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
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
USF0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Offense1221.317.736.4%3.421.11429598197352%46%36%38%18%.09
USF Defense1323.414.337.8%3.151.9 - - - - - 48%51%38%38%16%.07
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENT Defense1233.642.942.9%4.290.8 - - - - - 51%47%44%43%14%.19
USF Offense1340.55146.5%4.451.5244882122765.551%48%47%46%14%.31

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kent State1227:4414.328%47%6.148.81.10.85.82328.4
South Florida1325:2423.846%62%6.6611.51.96.52.5329.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1252% (45)36% (130)32.998.3310 (132)-.02 (127)2.54 (129)63% (117)13% (129)0.89 (103)
USF Defense1348% (47)38% (14) - - - - .02 (22)2.63 (20)79% (120)11% (42)1.06 (112)
 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 Defense1251% (89)44% (90) - - - - .16 (104)2.95 (78)67% (37)9% (80)1.02 (99)
USF Offense1351% (55)47% (26)38.8212.25.529 (30).18 (38)3.33 (13)81% (9)8% (23)0.98 (60)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Offense1246% (94)38% (111)13.624.4197.18.114.520 (61)6 (34).29 (49)1.9 (4)35% (121)24% (129).15 (120)5% (35)2.2 (17)
USF Defense1351% (94)38% (37) - - - - - - 14 (6).17 (33)1.6 (67)37% (5)27% (34).23 (43)6% (81)2 (49)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENT Defense1247% (51)43% (77) - - - - - - 6 (75).26 (77)1.6 (83)32% (63)34% (122).35 (97)5% (122)1.9 (43)
USF Offense1348% (80)46% (28)20.731.2275.68.913.333 (8)11 (60).48 (6)1.7 (14)29% (24)30% (75).43 (25)6% (81)2.3 (4)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -14.91  #125
Kent State's Offense Rating: 3.38  #122
Kent State's Defense Rating: 23.29  #120
2026 Talent Rating: 542.00  #111
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #87
Kent State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Kent State's 2026 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 547.54
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -14.91   South Florida: 10.12

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.3   South Florida: 11.6




South Florida's Power Ratings
South Florida's Power Rating: 10.12  #61
South Florida's Offense Rating: 15.90  #43
South Florida's Defense Rating: 17.26  #78
2026 Talent Rating: 840.00  #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #87
South Florida's 2026 Expected Record: 9.9 - 2.1
South Florida's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.6  #29
South Florida's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.7  #12
South Florida's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.3  #62

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 576.71
Average Power Five Talent: 912.93
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


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

Kent State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
South Florida 44
Kent State 17

Projected Total Points: 61
South Florida Scoring
Offense: 40.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 51
Defense: 23.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.3

South Florida's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
South Florida000 Overs
Kent State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#125) KENT at (#61) USF
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENTUSF
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #125 #61
SP+SP+ #130 #29
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #111 #51
Blue ChipsBC% #87 #87
Kent State Notes
(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report
South Florida Notes
(2/26) Vibes: Unclear, but will step back from LY
(2/26) QB Van Buren is most exp'd of 4 portal adds
(2/26) RB Isaac back, 2 prod FCS adds. Some depth
(2/26) WR Odom (UTEP)/Reuben decent duo, have depth
(2/26) OL has 7 w starting exp, 6 are portals. Have depth
(2/26) Def F7 very light on exp/prod. Big pass rush ?
(2/26) DBs have exp but grade out poorly. 9 portal adds
(2/26) 41 portals, 16 croots = 57 new on roster
(2/24) New era w Hartline. First time outside Columbus
(2/12) What does a Hartline Off look like w/o Day (OSU)
South Florida Injury Report
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffUSF Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #126 #21
ExplosiveExp #12 #107
PPAPPA #112 #20
PowerPwr #122 #78
SP+SP+ #125 #62
Pts POPPO #98 #28
HavocHav #117 #59
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffUSF Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #130 #14
Run ExplRExp #103 #112
PPAExp #127 #22
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #129 #20
Stuff RateStuff #110 #17
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffUSF Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #111 #37
Pass ExplPExl #4 #67
PPAExp #49 #33
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #129 #42
DB HavocDB #35 #81
South Florida on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatUSF OffKENT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #21 #86
ExplosiveExp #28 #88
PPAPPA #12 #93
PowerPwr #43 #120
SP+SP+ #12 #120
Pts POPPO #17 #123
HavocHav #45 #107
South Florida Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
USF OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #26 #90
Run ExplRExp #60 #99
PPAExp #38 #104
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #13 #78
Stuff RateStuff #10 #82
TackleTak - NR
South Florida Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatUSF OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #28 #77
Pass ExplPExl #14 #83
PPAExp #6 #77
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #23 #80
DB HavocDB #81 #122
Program Comparison
USF 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Raymond James Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
KENT's OC Clay Patterson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
Nolan Good51050%38003.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Dru Deshields613830.615
Mason Blakemore93804.214
Maurice Stephens131131.031
Marques Hicks41804.514
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138
Terik Mulder19198410.450
Da'Realyst Clark3108136.089

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Cherokee Valeria (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joel Cordoba662011
Derrick Jackson481002
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
DJ Barnes282000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thomas Aden244210
Darian Blachewicz195201
Jaihien Roy153221
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sayed Abuhamdeh392102
Derrick Jackson481002
Joel Cordoba662011

USF's OC Tim Beck* (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
KJ Cooper (Tr)15124462%14971156.1
Michael Van Buren Jr. (Tr)9415162%1010826.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
D.J. Crowther (Tr)191929104.967
Jason Collins Jr. (Tr)9436353.923
Alvon Isaac7335004.849
KJ Cooper (Tr)7224333.423
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kenny Odom (Tr)6258269.474
Mudia Reuben36495513.860
Armani Winfield (Tr)22276212.549
Arhmad Branch (Tr)14212215.149

View South Florida's Full Roster

USF's DC Josh Aldridge (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ayden Jackson (Tr)744013
Tavin Ward602002
Za'Quan Bryan (Tr)371013
Zavier Hamilton373000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shamar Meikle (Tr)286240
Marshon Oxley (Tr)155211
Michael Williams II192110
Ryan Jenkins121100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ayden Jackson (Tr)744013
Za'Quan Bryan (Tr)371013
Tavin Ward602002