Ohio at Kent State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Ohio logo

Ohio Bobcats at Kent State Golden Flashes

Kent State logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Dix Stadium - Kent, OH  (Mid-American)

 
Bobcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach John Hauser (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (21 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.5 - 5.5 (#65)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)
KENT 2nd straight Home Game
KENT is playing their 5th straight game
OHIO is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Ohio -4  (SP+ OHIO -6.5)

Projected Score: OHIO: 27 - KENT: 23 (50)
OHIO Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
OHIO Travel: 132 miles
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (26 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.5 - 8.5 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
 
Ohio's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Ohio at Nebraska+20.5
Sat 9/12Ohio vs Jacksonville State+4.5
Sat 9/19Ohio at South Alabama+2
Sat 9/26Ohio vs Stonehill-11.5
Sat 10/3Ohio at Kent State-4
Sat 10/10Ohio vs Central Michigan+1
Sat 10/17Ohio at Sacramento State-3
Sat 10/24Ohio vs Eastern Michigan-2.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3Ohio at Akron-1
Tue 11/10Ohio at Miami (OH)+13.5
Tue 11/17Ohio vs Ball State-14
Fri 11/27Ohio vs Toledo+3.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, 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 Ohio's Schedule
Kent State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Kent State at South Carolina+28.5
Sat 9/12Kent State vs Wofford-5
Sat 9/19Kent State at Ohio State+37
Sat 9/26Kent State vs Ball State-7.5
Sat 10/3Kent State vs Ohio+4
Sat 10/10Kent State at Western Michigan+14.5
Sat 10/17Kent State at South Florida+20.5
Sat 10/24Kent State vs Akron+0.5
Fri 10/30Kent State at Sacramento State+3.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Kent State at Bowling Green+9.5
Tue 11/17Kent State vs Miami (OH)+15
Tue 11/24Kent State at Eastern Michigan+9

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
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 (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
OHIO#42 (.21)45% (41)27.845% (57)3.32 (14)22846% (29)1843.55 (84)#54 (.12)41% (63)21.942% (69)40% (57)2.83 (13)48.31.51.3
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
 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
OHIO0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KENT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OHIO Offense1327.82144.9%3.551.5224122281845.460%38%45%46%12%.21
KENT Defense1233.620.642.9%4.290.8 - - - - - 51%47%44%43%14%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
OHIO Defense1321.925.841.3%2.831.3 - - - - - 50%48%42%40%15%.12
KENT Offense1221.326.236.4%3.421.11429598197352%46%36%38%18%.09

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
Ohio1332:0721.642%59%6.248.31.51.34.91.7229.9
Kent State1227:4414.328%47%6.148.81.10.85.82328.4
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
OHIO Offense1360% (11)45% (57)42.5228.25.432 (26).21 (23)3.32 (14)79% (23)7% (17)1.1 (16)
KENT Defense1251% (89)44% (90) - - - - .16 (104)2.95 (78)67% (37)9% (80)1.02 (99)
 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
OHIO Defense1350% (73)42% (69) - - - - .08 (56)2.98 (87)67% (32)9% (86)0.99 (89)
KENT Offense1252% (45)36% (130)32.998.3310 (132)-.02 (127)2.54 (129)63% (117)13% (129)0.89 (103)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OHIO Offense1338% (127)46% (29)14.824184.27.712.514 (86)11 (60).27 (60)1.4 (119)29% (31)33% (35).24 (94)5% (35)1.6 (135)
KENT Defense1247% (51)43% (77) - - - - - - 6 (75).26 (77)1.6 (83)32% (63)34% (122).35 (97)5% (122)1.9 (43)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
OHIO Defense1348% (65)40% (57) - - - - - - 12 (31).21 (54)1.6 (88)31% (71)28% (39).2 (26)6% (75)2 (55)
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)

Ohio's Power Ratings
Ohio's Power Rating: -10.29  #114
Ohio's Offense Rating: 7.45  #126
Ohio's Defense Rating: 17.73  #96
2026 Talent Rating: 424.00  #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #104
Ohio's 2026 Expected Record: 6.5 - 5.5
Ohio's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.6  #117
Ohio's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.3  #134
Ohio's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.2  #72

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -10.29   Kent State: -15.92

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Ohio: -13.6   Kent State: -20.1




Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -15.92  #126
Kent State's Offense Rating: 7.52  #125
Kent State's Defense Rating: 24.26  #130
2026 Talent Rating: 462.00  #109
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Kent State's 2026 Expected Record: 3.5 - 8.5
Kent State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -20.1  #128
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.9  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.5  #127

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 467.85
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Ohio Scoring
Offense: 27.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 21
Defense: 21.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 25.8

Ohio'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
Ohio 27
Kent State 23


Projected Total Points: 50
Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.2
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.6

Kent State'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
202411/06Kent State0Ohio41Ohio -20.5Ohio53.5Under
202310/07Ohio42Kent State17Ohio -24.5Ohio45.5Over
202210/01Kent State31Ohio24Kent State -13Ohio65.5Under
202110/23Ohio27Kent State34Kent State -5Kent State68.5Under
201910/19Ohio45Kent State38Ohio -9Kent State64.5Over
201810/06Kent State26Ohio27Ohio -11Kent State69.5Under
201710/21Ohio48Kent State3Ohio -17.5Ohio47.0Over
201610/22Kent State10Ohio14Ohio -4NA43.5Under
201511/10Ohio27Kent State0Ohio -7Ohio44.0Under
201408/30Kent State14Ohio17Kent State -1.5Ohio0
201311/19Ohio13Kent State44Ohio -5.5Kent State0
201211/23Kent State28Ohio6
201110/01Ohio17Kent State10
201011/26Kent State28Ohio6
200910/24Ohio11Kent State20
200810/11Kent State19Ohio26
200709/29Ohio25Kent State33
200610/28Kent State7Ohio17
200509/24Ohio35Kent State32
200410/30Kent State42Ohio16
200311/08Ohio33Kent State37
200210/19Kent State0Ohio50
200110/27Ohio14Kent State24
200010/13Kent State7Ohio44
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kent State1043 Overs
Ohio1466 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams10 - 144 - 63 - 41 - 2
Road Teams14 - 106 - 42 - 14 - 3

(#114) OHIO at (#126) KENT
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatOHIOKENT
Game ControlGC #64 #128
Momentum ControlMC #92 #135
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #114 #126
SP+SP+ #117 #128
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #121 #109
Blue ChipsBC% #104 #83
Ohio Notes
(2/24) HC Houser was DC LY under B Smith (fired LY)
Ohio Injury Report
Kent State Notes
(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report
Ohio on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat
OHIO OffKENT Def
Game ControlGC #94 #114
Momentum ControlMC #67 #135
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #41 #86
ExplosiveExp #84 #88
PPAPPA #42 #93
PowerPwr #126 #130
SP+SP+ #134 #127
Pts POPPO #84 #123
HavocHav #17 #107
Ohio Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat
OHIO OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #57 #90
Run ExplRExp #16 #99
PPAExp #23 #104
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #14 #78
Stuff RateStuff #4 #82
TackleTak - NR
Ohio Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 59%, Pass: 39%
CategoryCat
OHIO OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #29 #77
Pass ExplPExl #119 #83
PPAExp #60 #77
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #80
DB HavocDB #35 #122
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffOHIO Def
Game ControlGC #134 #29
Momentum ControlMC #87 #102
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #126 #63
ExplosiveExp #12 #75
PPAPPA #112 #54
PowerPwr #125 #96
SP+SP+ #125 #72
Pts POPPO #98 #13
HavocHav #117 #86
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffOHIO Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #130 #69
Run ExplRExp #103 #89
PPAExp #127 #56
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #129 #87
Stuff RateStuff #110 #72
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCatKENT OffOHIO Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #111 #57
Pass ExplPExl #4 #88
PPAExp #49 #54
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #129 #86
DB HavocDB #35 #75
Program Comparison
KENT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

OHIO 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Ohio beat Kent State in 2024 (41-0)
Ohio beat Kent State in 2023 (42-17)

  
OHIO's OC Scott Isphording (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Matt Vezza (Tr)22636961%26731977.2
Nick Poulos4850%19002.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Matt Vezza (Tr)15060584.035
Duncan Brune12058584.966
Victor Rosa (Tr)3015525.231
Nick Poulos83404.319
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Victor Rosa (Tr)1514719.865
Dom Dorwart11119010.835
Max Rodarte786012.324
Eian Pugh675012.525

View Ohio's Full Roster

OHIO's DC Kurt Mattix (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Charlie Christopher633222
Michael Molnar625223
DJ Walker556011
Jack Fries543115
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joseph Marsh82200
Charlie Christopher633222
Michael Molnar625223
Derek Reagans82230
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jack Fries543115
Nehemiah Dukes282103
Michael Molnar625223

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