Kent State cruised to a surprising MAC East title last year, posting a perfect 8-0 record against conference opposition. The Golden Flashes suffered their only league loss of the season in the MAC title game, though, falling 37-44 in double overtime to a favored Northern Illinois squad. Head Coach Darrell Hazell parlayed the team's unexpected success into a new job with the Big Ten's Purdue Boilermakers. Former Ohio State and Arkansas assistant Paul Haynes takes Hazell's place on the sidelines, but will the change lead to a change in the division standings? According to the odds makers at 5Dimes, yes. 2013 College Football Predictions at the offshore book have Kent State listed as a second pick to win the East at +300 odds and they are a fourth selection to win the MAC Championship at +700 odds ($100 wins $700).
Kent State returns plenty of talent from last year's 11-3 team, but its schedule will make it difficult to match last season's success. The Golden Flashes non-conference slate includes meetings with LSU and Penn State, and, unlike Bowling Green and Ohio, Kent State will match-up with conference favorite Northern Illinois. Haynes's troops also travel to Athens to face the Bobcats, who will be seeking revenge after last year's 28-6 thrashing at Dix Stadium in Kent.
Kent State Golden Flashes 2013 College Football Predictions:
Kent State Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship +750000
Kent State Odds to win the 2013 MAC Championship +700 (tied for four of 13)
Kent State Odds to win the MAC East Division +300 (tied for two of seven)
Kent State Regular Season Wins: Over 5.5 (-130), Under 5.5 (-110)
Kent State 2013 Schedule:
8/29 Liberty
9/7 Bowling Green
9/14 at LSU
9/21 at Penn State
9/28 at Western Michigan
10/5 Northern Illinois
10/12 at Ball State
10/19 at South Alabama
10/26 Buffalo
11/2 at Akron
11/13 Miami, OH
11/19 at Ohio
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