Previewing Kent State vs Miami (OH): Prediction, Preview, and Odds for Wednesday’s MACtion Game

• Miami (OH) is a 30.5-point home favorite over Kent State in Week 12 College Football action on Wednesday, November 13
• Golden Flashes starting QB Tommy Ulatowski is questionable with an undisclosed injury
• Check out the latest Kent State vs Miami prediction, preview and odds below

Two programs going in completely different directions clash on Wednesday, as winless Kent State (0-9, 0-5 MAC) visits streaking Miami (OH) (5-4, 4-1 MAC) in MACtion.

The RedHawks have reeled off four straight victories and online sportsbooks expect their winning streak to continue in convincing fashion per the latest College Football odds.

Kent State vs Miami (OH) Odds

Miami is currently favored by 30.5 points, in a game with a total of 45.5. That spread is up half a point since its opener, but that hasn’t stopped bettors from backing the RedHawks. 90% of the money is currently on Miami, and that handle is coming from only 36% of the ATS tickets according to the College Football public betting trends.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET from Yager Stadium, in Oxford, OH, with ESPNU providing the broadcast coverage.

Odds as of November 12 at 1:00 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best sportsbook promotions before placing a bet on any Week 12 College Football matchup.

Kent State’s QB Question Mark

The Golden Flashes were always going to be a massive underdog in this matchup, but their QB situation has amplified the issue. Starter Tommy Ulatowski sat out last week’s 41-0 loss to Ohio for an unspecified reason. As of Tuesday afternoon, there’s no update on Ulatowski’s status, all we know is that head coach Kenni Burns said it’s Ulatowski’s job once he’s ready to go.

In his absence, Kent State turned to true freshman Ruel Tomlinson versus the Bobcats, and the results weren’t pretty. Tomlinson completed only 8 of 16 throws for 62 yards, and was sacked five times. He also tossed an interception, and led the team to only seven first downs.

The Golden Flashes’ running game also stalled, producing a dismal 52 yards on 24 attempts. Kent State managed only 114 yards of offense, which shockingly is just their third-lowest output of the season.

Kent State Stats – Ulatowski Starting vs Not Starting

If you think that’s bad, it gets worse. They were shut out for the third time in 2024 and were held without a touchdown for the fourth game. This all ties back to the quarterback situation. In Ulatowski’s four starts this season, the Golden Flashes have yet to be blanked and average 24 points per outing. He’s thrown for 940 yards and 11 TD, against six interceptions.

In the five games he didn’t start, Kent State is averaging a pathetic 8.2 points per outing, and have been outscored 246 to 41.

Miami Set Up for Success on Both Sides

The defensive side of the ball is just as bleak for the Golden Flashes. They coughed up 407 yards to Ohio, including 258 yards on the ground. Kent State ranks dead last in the MAC in yards, rushing yards allowed, and scoring defense. They’re second last in passing yards allowed, and yield 46 points per game, seven more than the next worst defense.

That’s music to Miami’s ears, who are not an especially potent offense. The RedHawks average only 23 points per outing and 352 yards of offense. They rank middle of the pack in both rushing and passing offense, but will likely find success no matter how they attack the Golden Flashes.

4 in a row.
Red-Bird Rivalry.
MACtion W.
Successful Tuesday. #RiseUpRedHawks | 🎓🏆 pic.twitter.com/KruUiKxR9s

— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) November 6, 2024

Miami’s calling card is their defense. It’s not strong enough to make them a College Football Playoff odds contender, but it does have them in position to become Bowl Game eligible with one more victory.

Simply put, they will absolutely dominate in this matchup if Ulatowski sits. The RedHawks surrender less than 200 passing yards and just 20 points per game. They’re limiting enemy rushing attacks to 4.1 yards per carry, while forcing the second-most turnovers in the conference.

Kent State vs Miami (OH) Prediction

Until we get clarity on Ulatowski, we cannot confidently place a wager on this contest. If he gets the green light, taking the points with Kent State is an easy decision. Ulatowski has given the offense a ceiling when he’s been in there, and has kept the team in games.

If he sits, it’s defensible to lay the points with Miami, but the under becomes the more prudent play. The Golden Flashes have been as anemic on offense as any program in the country without Ulatowski, and Tomlinson simply isn’t ready for primetime.

The RedHawks defense is arguably the best in the MAC, while their offense isn’t strong enough to push this game over the total on their own. They’ll undoubtedly put up more points than their season average, but it’s hard to imagine them pushing 40+ points like previous Kent State opponents.

• Pick: Kent State +30.5 (-110) if Ulatowski starts. Under 45.5 (-110) if Ulatowski sits.

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is set to showcase an exciting matchup on Wednesday as the Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning ways in this highly anticipated showdown.

Kent State (3-0) has been on a roll to start the season, with impressive wins over Akron, Bowling Green, and Buffalo. Led by quarterback Dustin Crum, who has thrown for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season, the Golden Flashes boast one of the most potent offenses in the MAC. Running back Marquez Cooper has also been a key contributor, rushing for 264 yards and three touchdowns in just three games.

On the other side, Miami (OH) (2-1) is coming off a dominant 41-17 victory over Central Michigan last week. Quarterback Brett Gabbert has been leading the way for the RedHawks, throwing for 660 yards and five touchdowns on the season. Running back Kevin Davis has also been a force to be reckoned with, rushing for 253 yards and three touchdowns in three games.

In terms of odds, Kent State is currently favored to win this matchup by 3.5 points. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 65.5, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring affair between these two explosive offenses.

When it comes to predicting the outcome of this game, it’s shaping up to be a closely contested battle between two evenly matched teams. Both Kent State and Miami (OH) have shown that they have the ability to put up points in bunches, so fans can expect a back-and-forth affair with plenty of fireworks on offense.

Ultimately, I predict that Kent State will come out on top in a close game, thanks to their dynamic offense led by Crum and Cooper. However, Miami (OH) has shown that they are more than capable of pulling off the upset, so fans should be prepared for a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire.

Overall, Wednesday’s MACtion game between Kent State and Miami (OH) is shaping up to be a must-watch matchup for college football fans. With both teams boasting high-powered offenses and strong defenses, this game has all the makings of a classic showdown that could have major implications on the MAC standings. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action as these two teams battle it out for supremacy in the conference.