Ohio vs. Kent State Predictions, Tips and Best Bets: Navarro Runs Wild

As you all know, there was a big event in America this week. Yes, it's MACTION's midweek return and the race for the conference title couldn't be closer.

Although it's about the transfer of quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Ohio Bobcats are one of the teams that are in the middle of the race. The Bobcats will be heavy favorites against the Kent State Golden Flashes tonight, and my Ohio vs. Kent State predictions highlight player support.

Check out my college football picks for this MAC matchup on Wednesday, November 6th.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Dix Stadium in Kent, with the game airing on ESPNU.

Ohio vs. Kent State prediction and best bet

My best choice
Parker Navarro 75+ rushing yards (+110 at bet365)
Picks made at the time of writing may not reflect live odds.

My analysis
When Kurtis Rourke moved to Indiana, he left some big shoes to fill, but Parker Navarro was up to the task.

Navarro has sat behind Rourke on the depth chart for two seasons, and while many thought this season would be a major step backwards for the Ohio Bobcats, they enter this week with a conference record of 3-1 and a very good chance of 4-1 in the Follow-up to this week's game.

That's because Navarro has really improved. The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 1,217 yards while completing 66.2% of his passes while adding another 507 yards on the ground. That equates to 6.2 yards per carry, and his rushing ability was a key part of the offense in MAC play.

Navarro has carried the ball more than 11 times in four conference games, gaining 408 of those 507 yards, with yards per carry increasing as high as 8.0. He also topped 80 yards rushing in three of those four games. The only time he failed to do so was against a very good Miami (OH) defense.

The other reason the Bobcats have a good chance at another win is because they are facing the Kent State Golden Flashes, who may be the worst team in the country. The Golden Flashes are 0-8 this season and just 2-6 ATS. They have only played within 19 points of one FBS opponent and are 19.5 point home underdogs in this matchup.

The ugliness doesn't end there. Kent State is bad everywhere, and its defense is no exception. The Flashes rank 133rd in opponent EPA/play, 131st in defensive success rate, and 134th in opponent EPA/rush and opponent yards per rush, allowing 6.1 yards per carry. That means teams have been all over the Golden Flashes.

I don't expect that to change on Wednesday evening. The best bet is for Navarro to record 75-plus rushing yards for the fourth time in five games.

Same parlay between Ohio and Kent State (SGP)

Parker Navarro 75+ rushing yards

Parker Navarro can touch down at any time

Over 52.5

Let's add Navarro to find the end zone in this SGP as well, something the Bobcats quarterback has done four times this season.

Suffice it to say, I'm betting on Ohio to score some points in this matchup against a Kent State team that ranks last in scoring defense (46.6 ppg). Ohio scores 31 points per game in MAC play, and I would be surprised if they don't surpass that average on Wednesday.

On the other side of the ball, this Bobcats defense was solid, but they can definitely be attacked. She ranks 74th in defensive success rate on dropbacks and 99th in EPA/dropback.

Yes, Kent State is bad, but they have put up 21+ points in three of four MAC games. It doesn't matter if it's garbage time; All of these points count toward the total score, and that's why I'm ending this SGP with the over.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Ohio vs Kent State odds

Ohio vs Kent State live odds

Ohio vs. Kent State opening odds

• Ohio vs. Kent State spread: Kent State +18
• Ohio vs. Kent State Moneyline: Ohio -1,200, Kent State +750
• Ohio vs. Kent State Over/Under: 52.5

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Ohio vs. Kent State spread and over/under analysis

• Kent State was an 18-point underdog at home, and despite the craziness of this conference, bettors still have faith in the favorite and have pushed the odds up to 19.5.
• As mentioned, three of Kent State's four MAC losses were by 19+ points. The other was against the arguably equally bad Ball State.
• The total was 52.5, and there wasn't much movement as of Tuesday afternoon.
• I expect that number to increase as kickoff gets closer. Ohio should do its part in the scoring, while Kent State is capable of some garbage time magic. These two are 6-2 overall in MAC play this season.

Things to know about the Ohio vs. Kent State betting trend

Kent State has hit the over in four of its last five home games with +2.90 units and a 53% ROI, while Ohio has hit the over in eight of its last 13 games with +2.50 units and a 17% ROI. Find more college football betting trends for Ohio vs. Kent State.

Information about the Ohio vs. Kent State game

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