Kent State at Western Michigan - 2026 Matchup Preview
Kent State logo

Kent State Golden Flashes at Western Michigan Broncos

Western Michigan logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Waldo Stadium - Kalamazoo, MI  (Mid-American)

 
Golden Flashes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mark Carney (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.5 - 8.5 (#104)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
WMU is playing their 6th straight game
KENT is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Western Michigan -14.5  (SP+ WMU -13)

Projected Score: KENT: 18 - WMU: 33 (51)
WMU Win prob: 85% | Cover: 47%
KENT Travel: 235 miles
Broncos (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Taylor (20 - 19)
Avg Score : 25 - 17 (29 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 4.9 (#50)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 8)
 
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
Western Michigan's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Western Michigan at Michigan+26
Sat 9/12Western Michigan vs Monmouth-17
Sat 9/19Western Michigan at Rice-7
Sat 9/26Western Michigan vs Boise State+9
Sat 10/3Western Michigan at Buffalo-2.5
Sat 10/10Western Michigan vs Kent State-14.5
Sat 10/17Western Michigan at Central Michigan+0.5
Sat 10/24Western Michigan at Toledo+3
Sat 10/31Western Michigan vs Bowling Green-7.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/10Western Michigan at Akron-6.5
Tue 11/17Western Michigan vs Eastern Michigan-8
Tue 11/24Western Michigan vs Miami (OH)+3

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 2, 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 Western Michigan'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
WMU#103 (.12)43% (55)24.947% (31)3.18 (25)20537% (116)1393.35 (105)#16 (.06)37% (17)17.438% (21)37% (21)2.83 (13)40.11.11.7
 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
WMU0%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
WMU Defense1417.415.736.9%2.831.7 - - - - - 49%49%38%37%17%.06
 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
WMU Offense1424.92943.4%3.351.1193432051394.665%33%47%37%12%.12

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
Western Michigan1432:3418.940%44%4.640.11.11.75.93.1232
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)
WMU Defense1449% (56)38% (21) - - - - .06 (46)2.77 (48)73% (86)11% (17)1.02 (98)
 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)
WMU Offense1465% (5)47% (31)44.2204.54.631 (49).14 (57)3.18 (25)76% (38)9% (61)0.9 (97)

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)
WMU Defense1449% (75)37% (21) - - - - - - 12 (55).1 (11)1.5 (28)34% (23)28% (54).12 (12)6% (67)1.7 (6)
 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)
WMU Offense1433% (132)37% (116)13.221.8138.56.410.510 (114)6 (34).1 (125)1.4 (120)30% (44)24% (128).15 (121)3% (7)1.9 (103)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -16.74  #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -16.74   Western Michigan: -3.895

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -20.1   Western Michigan: -7.2




Western Michigan's Power Ratings
Western Michigan's Power Rating: -3.895  #103
Western Michigan's Offense Rating: 14.47  #84
Western Michigan's Defense Rating: 20.06  #112
2026 Talent Rating: 440.00  #117
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Western Michigan's 2026 Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9
Western Michigan's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -7.2  #95
Western Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.0  #112
Western Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.8  #67

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


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
Western Michigan 33
Kent State 18


Projected Total Points: 51
Western Michigan Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 29
Defense: 17.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.7

Western Michigan'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
202410/26Western Michigan52Kent State21Western Michigan -19.0Western Michigan61.0Over
202110/16Western Michigan64Kent State31Western Michigan -7Western Michigan68.5Over
201711/08Western Michigan48Kent State20Western Michigan -20.5Western Michigan45.5Over
201611/08Kent State21Western Michigan37Western Michigan -18.5Kent State55.0Over
201309/28Western Michigan14Kent State32Western Michigan -2Kent State0
201210/20Kent State41Western Michigan24
201011/20Western Michigan38Kent State3
200910/31Kent State26Western Michigan14
200510/29Western Michigan44Kent State14
200010/27Kent State0Western Michigan42
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Western Michigan734 Overs
Kent State320 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams7 - 34 - 13 - 11 - 0
Road Teams3 - 71 - 40 - 11 - 3

(#126) KENT at (#103) WMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENTWMU
Game ControlGC #128 #60
Momentum ControlMC #135 #66
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #126 #103
SP+SP+ #128 #95
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #109 #117
Blue ChipsBC% #83 #83
Kent State Notes
(2/24) HC Carney went 4-4 in MAC (KS was 0-16 prev)
Kent State Injury Report
Western Michigan Notes
(3/27) Vibes: 10 wins LY big, Off fine, Def looks rough
(3/27) QB Lowry is back, a mobile threat. Good/Productive
(3/27) RB Buckley (1K LY) back, Green (Ark) fun add?
(3/27) WR meh, nothing here of note, some experience
(3/27) OL has 3 starters back, 1 portal add from Mich
(3/27) DL/LB is light on size & experience. Not a lot here
(3/27) DBs strength of Def by far, good prod/exp
(3/26) Def F7 rebuild, new DC. Expect a drop off
(2/6) Elevated Greer Martini (LB) to DC (O'Leary->NFL)
Western Michigan Injury Report
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffWMU Def
Game ControlGC #134 #57
Momentum ControlMC #87 #31
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #126 #17
ExplosiveExp #12 #66
PPAPPA #112 #16
PowerPwr #125 #112
SP+SP+ #125 #67
Pts POPPO #98 #13
HavocHav #117 #33
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffWMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #130 #21
Run ExplRExp #103 #98
PPAExp #127 #46
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #129 #48
Stuff RateStuff #110 #96
TackleTak - NR
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffWMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #111 #21
Pass ExplPExl #4 #28
PPAExp #49 #11
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #129 #17
DB HavocDB #35 #67
Western Michigan on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatWMU OffKENT Def
Game ControlGC #66 #114
Momentum ControlMC #110 #135
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #55 #86
ExplosiveExp #136 #88
PPAPPA #103 #93
PowerPwr #84 #130
SP+SP+ #112 #127
Pts POPPO #105 #123
HavocHav #18 #107
Western Michigan Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
WMU OffKENT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #31 #90
Run ExplRExp #97 #99
PPAExp #57 #104
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #25 #78
Stuff RateStuff #30 #82
TackleTak - NR
Western Michigan Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatWMU OffKENT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #116 #77
Pass ExplPExl #120 #83
PPAExp #125 #77
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #61 #80
DB HavocDB #7 #122
Program Comparison
WMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Waldo Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Western Michigan beat Kent State in 2024 (52-21)

  
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

WMU's OC Walt Bell (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Broc Lowry16626263%1803936.9
Ofa Mataele010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jalen Buckley179100395.667
Broc Lowry203963144.737
Ofa Mataele5725234.422
Aveion Chenault335011.725
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nathan Levicki33478614.575
Baylin Brooks27372013.842
Aveion Chenault23277212.045
Jalen Buckley127516.334

View Western Michigan's Full Roster

WMU's DC Greer Martini (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jarvarius Sims612104
Micah Davis601023
Joshua Franklin5362110
Joey Pope443112
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DeJuan Echoles276422
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
Dakari Frazier101100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Joshua Franklin5362110
Jarvarius Sims612104
John Peters140004