Frisco Bowl Predictions
Will Utah State be overlooking Kent State when the two meet up in today’s Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl
203 Kent State vs. 204 Utah State
Friday, December 20, 2019
7:30PM ET – Toyota Stadium
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Utah State is favored in this game, as the Aggies are getting odds of -6.5 points against Kent State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 67.5 points. The public betting currently has 54 percent going on Kent State as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Kent State should be motivated
Kent is making its first bowl appearance since 2012 and just the fourth in program history this weekend. The Golden Flashes won their final three games of the season to get bowl eligible and they have covered in six of their last seven. Kent State is 6-6 on the season, 8-4 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total.
The Flashes are giving up 31.1 points and 470 yards per game this season on defense, including nearly 250 rushing yards per contest. Kent State is putting up 27.4 points and 393.6 yards per contest. Dustin Crum is leading the Kent State offense with 2,333 passing yards and 18 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He also is the leading rusher with 560 yards and five scores. Will Matthews has rushed for 514 yards and two touchdowns, while Isaiah McKoy is the leading receiver with 51 catches for 767 yards and seven touchdowns.
Aggies are bowl veterans
Utah State won three of its last four games coming into this bowl, including a 38-25 win at New Mexico in its finale. The Aggies are 7-5 on the season, 7-5 against the spread and 6-5-1 with the under. They are making their eighth bowl appearance in the last nine seasons.
The Aggies are steady on offense, putting up 28.3 points per game while averaging 425.1 yards per outing. Defensively, Utah State is giving up 29 points and 431.4 yards per contest. Utah State could be without star QB Jordan Love due to a pot citation. He has thrown or 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns this year. There is no word yet on if Love will be held out of the game in any way. Gerold Bright has rushed for 827 yards and eight touchdowns. He also was with Love and could face suspension for this game. Siaosi Mariner is the top receiver on the team with 56 catches for 874 yards and eight touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Kent State
Kent State is just 4-10 against the spread in their last 14 games on grass, but 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
Utah State
The Aggies are 16-5 against the spread in their last 21 games as a favorite and 7-2 ATS in their last nine nonconference games.
Prediction:
This is a tough game to call without knowing the status of Love and Bright for Utah State. If they are suspended at all, or for the whole game, it drastically changes the outlook of things. If at full strength, Utah State is the better team. The Aggies played better opponents throughout the year and have the bigger playmakers. Kent State should be motivated to play, being in a bowl game for the first time, but the experience could also throw them off a little in the beginning. Utah State has been through the process before. I think traveling across the country will be tough for Kent State as well. I just think its suspect defense is going to be a problem. I will assume Utah State’s stars will play the majority of the game and that should be enough to carry them past the Flashes.
Frisco Bowl Prediction: Utah State -6.5
Related: Frisco Bowl Total Prediction