103 WESTERN MICHIGAN at 104 KENT STATE
Take: WESTERN MICHIGAN -21
Forget the numbers here. I’m fading Kent State as I have to think the team is in a state of shock right now.
In case you missed it, star safety Nate Holley will be watching this game from a halfway house. Holley was arrested Friday on a kidnapping charge, so he has obviously been suspended. This is not only a huge loss for the Golden Flashes from a personnel standpoint as he’s a terrific player, but I have to think it’s a mental stunner for the team.
One also cannot help but speculate what impact this has on Nick Holley. Nick is Nate’s twin brother, and he also happens to be the starting quarterback for Kent State.
Western Michigan is angling toward a perfect season and a Cotton Bowl invite as the Group of Five representative. The Broncos are totally legit. They’re also pretty good at wiping the floor with overmatched opposition, so laying even a number as large as this one is not overly concerning.
The math on this game suggests the line is a bit inflated. But considering the mitigating circumstances, I have to think it’s justified. Sometimes teams galvanize and come up with monster efforts in the face of adversity. But considering what has just gone down for Kent State, I just don’t see that being likely. Even at the huge number, I’d lay it here with Western Michigan.
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