Penn State gets back on the field this weekend with a home game against Kent State. The Nittany Lions host the struggling Golden Flashes for a mid-afternoon non-conference tilt that will serve as Penn State’s last chance to iron some wrinkles out before jumping into Big Ten play for the rest of the year.
Penn State is a massive home favorite against the Golden Flashes, and our staff predictions this week seem to agree with what the lines are telling us.
Here are our picks and predictions for this week’s Penn State game against Kent State.
Brad: This is a perfect opportunity for Penn State to make a statement coming out of their bye week, and they’re going to do it by dominating Kent State at home. Unlike against Bowling Green, the Nittany Lions will control this game on both sides of the ball and plenty of young players will get into this one, giving fans a glimpse at the future.
Penn State 61 Kent State 7
Charlie: Penn State vs. Kent State: Penn State is nearly a 50 point favorite in this one and the pressure to score 71 is on. I kid, but honestly Penn State’s offense can score in the high 50s, Can the defense hold Kent State to another donut on the scoreboard? That will be a tall task considering the Golden Flashes will be determined not to be shutout two weeks in a row. The Nittany Lions still roll and go into conference play with confidence.
Penn State 57, Kent State 7
Kevin: Penn State is understandably a heavy favorite on Saturday afternoon against a woeful Kent State program. This game has the right ingredients for a fast start for the offense so my focus will be on the defense. Not that Kent State will do anything that should challenge them too much, but it would be good to see the defense come out locked in from the jump and put together some quick defensive series after the start it had against Bowling Green in the last game played. I think everything goes according to plan in the first half and Penn State cruises to a blowout victory in the second half with plenty of reserves getting some playing time.
Penn State 56, Kent State 3