Midweek action in the college football world is dominated by the Mid-American Conference, and that is the case again on Wednesday with a MACtion tripleheader. Dix Stadium hosts one of the three matchups in Kent, and the Bowling Green Falcons visit the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Falcons are on a three-game winning streak, improving to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Golden Flashes are 1-8 overall and on a six-game losing streak, with Kent State seeking its first FBS win of the 2023 season.
SportsLine consensus lists the Falcons as 10.5-point favorites for this 7 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS Sports Network. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 40.5 in the latest Bowling Green vs. Kent State odds. Before making any Kent State vs. Bowling Green picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bowling Green vs. Kent State and just revealed its picks and MACtion predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Kent State vs. Bowling Green:
- Bowling Green vs. Kent State spread: Bowling Green -10.5
- Bowling Green vs. Kent State over/under: 40.5 points
- Bowling Green vs. Kent State money line: BG -390, KSU +304
- Bowling Green: The Falcons are 5-4 against the spread this season
- Kent State: The Golden Flashes are 2-6-1 against the spread this season
- Bowling Green vs. Kent State picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Bowling Green vs. Kent State live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Bowling Green can cover
The weakest unit in this matchup is likely the Kent State offense, and Bowling Green's defense is in a position to take advantage. The Golden Flashes are last in the MAC with only 14.1 points per game this season, and that number dips to 13.4 points per game against MAC opponents. Kent State has the second-fewest total yards (269.3 per game) in the conference, with only 152.1 passing yards per game. The Golden Flashes are averaging only 3.0 yards per rush attempt, including 2.8 yards per carry in MAC games, and no MAC team has fewer rushing touchdowns (six) than Kent State.
The Golden Flashes are also last in sacks allowed (19) and third down efficiency (25.3%) against MAC competition. Bowling Green's defense enters this matchup in the top four of the MAC in passing defense and rushing defense, leading to the No. 2 mark in total yards allowed (325.2 per game). The Falcons are allowing fewer passing yards per game (148.4) than any program in the MAC in conference games, and Bowling Green is in the top five in overall sacks (21) and sacks in MAC contests (10) this season. See which team to pick here.
Why Kent State can cover
Kent State is facing a Bowling Green offense that has sputtered in key areas against MAC competition. The Falcons are last in passing yards (102.6) when accounting only for MAC games, and Bowling Green has more interceptions (12) than passing touchdowns (10) overall this season. Bowling Green also has the fewest first downs (12.0 per game) of any MAC team in conference games, and the Falcons are converting fewer than 33% of third down chances in 2023. Kent State has been stout against the run in MAC action, giving up only 114.6 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry.
On the other side of the ball, standout wide receiver Chrishon McCray gives the Golden Flashes a quality offensive centerpiece. He leads the MAC in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season, and McCray torched Akron for six catches, 161 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in Kent State's last outing. Bowling Green has struggled to get off the field in MAC games, giving up a 49.3% third down efficiency mark, and that projects to help Kent State to sustain drives. See which team to pick here.
How to make Kent State vs. Bowling Green picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 47 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Bowling Green vs. Kent State, and which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Illinois spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
