September 4, 2015

Memorial Stadium

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The Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Friday at Memorial Stadium. Kent State is coming off a 2-9 year while Illinois finished last season with a 6-7 record. The opening line for this game has Illinois as 15.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 51.5. The Golden Flashes had an ATS record of 5-6 last year, which meant they covered the spread 46% of the time. Their over/under record was 4-6. The Fighting Illini covered the spread 39% of the time, finishing the campaign with an ATS record of 5-8. Their over/under record was 7-6.

Kent State averaged 16.4 points per contest last season on the offensive side of the ball. They completed 22.2 passes per game on 40.3 attempts for a 55.1 percent completion percentage and averaged 233.6 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game in the passing department. The Golden Flashes ran for an average of 81.8 yards per game on 25.2 attempts for an average of 3.2 yards per carry. These totals led to 0.5 rushing touchdowns per contest. They ran 65.5 plays per game and averaged 4.8 yards per play for a total of 315.5 yards per game. The Golden Flashes averaged 18 first downs per contest and turned the ball over 1.9 times per game. They averaged 52.2 penalty yards per game via 5.9 penalties.

Kent State gave up 216.3 passing yards per contest and 29 points per game on the defensive side of the ball. They allowed 17.1 completions on 30.1 attempts for a completion percentage of 56.8.The Golden Flashes allowed 214 rushing yards to their opponents on 44.7 carries for a 4.8 average. They allowed 1.7 touchdowns on the ground as well.Kent State gave up 430.3 total yards per game last year including 5.8 per play. They forced 1.5 turnovers and 7 penalties for 60.1 yards as a unit.

Illinois averaged 25.9 points per contest last season on the offensive side of the ball. They completed 22.1 passes per game on 36.2 attempts for a 61.1 percent completion percentage and averaged 249.8 yards and 1.9 touchdowns per game in the passing department. The Fighting Illini ran for an average of 117.5 yards per game on 31.8 attempts for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. These totals led to 1.2 rushing touchdowns per contest. They ran 67.9 plays per game and averaged 5.4 yards per play for a total of 367.2 yards per game. The Fighting Illini averaged 19.1 first downs per contest and turned the ball over 1.7 times per game. They averaged 51.5 penalty yards per game via 6.1 penalties.

Illinois gave up 217.2 passing yards per contest and 34 points per game on the defensive side of the ball. They allowed 16.5 completions on 28.5 attempts for a completion percentage of 57.8.The Fighting Illini allowed 239.2 rushing yards to their opponents on 47.5 carries for a 5 average. They allowed 2.4 touchdowns on the ground as well.Illinois gave up 456.4 total yards per game last year including 6 per play. They forced 1.5 turnovers and 5.4 penalties for 45.8 yards as a unit.

Kent State Betting Trends

Kent State was 4-6 against the over/under last season

Kent State had an ATS record of 5-6 last season

Illinois Betting Trends

Illinois was 7-6 against the over/under last season

Illinois had an ATS record of 5-8 last season

Injuries to Watch

Kent State

08/27/15 TE Ryan Malone Knee probable Friday vs. Illinois

Illinois

08/27/15 DL Joe Fotu Suspension out indefinitely
08/26/15 DL Teko Powell Foot out for season
08/24/15 WR Justin Hardee Foot out indefinitely
08/24/15 WR Mike Dudek Knee out indefinitely
08/24/15 RB Dre Brown Knee out for season
08/24/15 RB Reggie Corbin Shoulder out for season
08/15/15 DL Jihad Ward Knee expected to miss 2 games

Josh's Pick: Take Illinois

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