The Mid-Season Report Cards are a subjective look using objective numbers with a look toward the remainder of the season as well. Teams are being reviewed in random order once they reach 6 games.
The Golden Flashes, despite their name, are one of the lowest profile teams in America this year. They haven’t had much success, but by winning two winnable games, they stay off the 0 and 1 win radar. They didn’t scare any of the BCS teams they played, so no attention on the worldwide leader. They’re sitting at 2-4, not a great start, but really only one point away from being as good as anyone would have expected.
- Wins: D. The schedule hasn’t been easy, but they haven’t faced any Top 25 teams either. They started the season with an 18-0 win over 1-AA Coastal Carolina, and they did beat 0-6 Miami by 10 points. They lost to Bowling Green this weekend on a last second touchdown after leading most of the game.
- Offense: F. Herein lies the problem- only putting up 307 per game, good for 106th, and matching that 106 ranking in scoring offense with 19.67. The MAC is a somewhat defensive league this year, and Kent State isn’t getting the job done.
- Defense: D. Better than the offense but not good. 98th nationally, the Flashes are allowing 402 ypg. The obvious discrepancy between that and their offensive output explains losing 4 games.
- Special Teams: B-. Above average in Punting and Punt Returns, and right on the average for returning kicks. If the offense can benefit from success in the field position battle, Kent State has more wins ahead of them.
- Turnovers: C. 14 lost, 14 gained- an almost insanely high number. Nobody else at even or better has given away the ball that many times. In fact, if they hadn’t lost so many, 14 gained would be enough to likely have them in the top 30 on margin.
- Grading Curve: No Change. Sagarin give the Golden Flashes the 112th toughest schedule in the country. If there was ever a BCS team lineup begging for an upset, it would be Boston College – Iowa State – Baylor (BC’s not bad, but they went on from their Kent State win to that classic 54 yard offensive game against Clemson).
- Final Grade: D. They beat the two teams they should have beaten, hung in close but couldn’t finish off another mid-pack MAC team, and never challenged outside the conference. Overall, a below-average start for Kent State.
Remaining Games:
- at Eastern Michigan
- at Ohio
- Western Michigan
- at Akron
- at Temple
- Buffalo
Best Case Scenario:3-3. It’s possible that Kent State could surprise one of the better teams on their schedule and get a win, but just as likely that a lesser team will knock them down too.
Worst Case Scenario: 0-6. Each team on their schedule is or should be better than the two teams the Flashes have beaten so far, so it’s possible that there aren’t any wins left.
Prediction:2-4. I think we’ll see a repeat of what we saw in the first half- a couple wins, a close loss or two, and a couple game where they aren’t particularly competitive.