Kent State seeks its first-ever bowl victory when it makes its first postseason appearance in seven years in the Frisco Bowl. The Golden Flashes will be opposed by the Utah State Aggies, who are suiting up in their eighth bowl in nine years but are coming off a disappointing season in the Mountain West.
- Spread: Utah State -7
- Total: 65
- Date/Time: December 20, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Frisco, Texas
- Stadium: Toyota Stadium
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Utah State vs Kent State Matchup Report & Updated Odds
Frisco Bowl Odds Analysis
Utah State has been a great bet in recent years when favored by a touchdown or more, going 15-5 ATS in its last 20. Kent State is 5-0 ATS in its last five as an underdog but has won just five of its last 40 games straight up when catching points. Each of Utah State’s last seven bowl appearances has gone UNDER.
Utah State News & Notes
It’s safe to say that the Frisco Bowl wasn’t circled on the Aggies’ calendar at the start of the year. Utah State had visions of winning a Mountain West championship, but those were derailed with lopsided losses to Air Force and Boise State in conference play. And after bouncing back from that loss to Boise with a 38-25 win at New Mexico in their regular-season finale, the Aggies were considered potential candidates for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl before learning they were bound for Texas instead.
“We understand where we fit this year,” Utah State head coach Gary Andersen said. “It is a huge responsibility to prepare the right way and to play the right way, and that is exactly how we will approach it.”
Aggies quarterback Jordan Love seems to have that same mindset. Despite declaring for next year’s NFL draft (where he’s projected to go in the second round), the junior will suit up one last time for Utah State in Frisco. Love’s got plenty to play for as well, coming off a campaign of 17 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions that marked a stark dropoff from his 32-touchdown, six-interception performance in 2018.
Kent State News & Notes
Utah State’s motivation level in the Frisco Bowl is debatable, but you can’t say the same about the Golden Flashes. Kent State is making just its fourth bowl game appearance in program history, and only its second since 1972.
The Flashes also come into this game with plenty of momentum, having won their final three games of the season to earn bowl eligibility with a 6-6 mark — a drastic improvement from their 2-10 finishes in 2017 and 2018.
Kent State’s late-season success has been keyed by the emergence of a strong running game to complement dual-threat quarterback Dustin Crum. After running for under 150 yards in five of their first 10 games, the Golden Flashes eclipsed the 250-yard plateau on the ground in each of their last two outings.
They could enjoy similar success against a Utah State front that has allowed 200-plus rushing yards in four of its last six.
Betting Pick: Kent State +7
The Golden Flashes should bring a lot of energy to a game I’m not convinced Utah State is too excited to play in.
- Utah State is 16-1 SU and 13-4 ATS in its last 17 games as a favorite.
- Kent State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games as an underdog.
- The total has gone UNDER in Utah State’s last 7 playoff games.
