Kent State Football: NFL-caliber QB leads way for Golden Flashes in 2021

How will Kent State football fare in 2021?

I have discussed at length so far how hard this schedule is for Kent State, but it can’t be overstated. Three of the first four games are on the road against Power Five opponents and that could break the team before they reach September. If Kent State survives the first month intact, it can make a run at a bowl game.

• Game 1: at Texas A&M (L) — This is a tough way to start the season on the road versus a potential playoff contender.
• Game 2: VMI (W) — Kent State should win big and they are going to need to after the A&M game to regain some confidence.
• Game 3: at Iowa (L) — Iowa is a contender in the Big Ten and has one of the best defenses in the country. That’s all that needs to be said.
• Game 4: at Maryland (L) — Another brutal road trip to finish a tough September.
• Game 5: Bowling Green (W) — Kent State gets to start MAC play against the worst team in the conference.
• Game 6: Buffalo (L) — After playing the worst team in the conference, Kent State plays one of the best and won’t be able to stop them enough to get a win.
• Game 7: at Western Michigan (L) — Western Michigan is a tough team to beat on the road and I think they’ll be too much for the Golden Flashes.
• Game 8: at Ohio (L) — Even after head coach Frank Solich stepped down, the Bobcats will be tough to beat, especially on the road.
• Game 9: Northern Illinois (W) — NIU is still rebuilding and Dustin Crum will have a field day with their defense.
• Game 10: at Central Michigan (L) — Another tough road game against one of the MAC’s best will result in another loss.
• Game 11: at Akron (W) — Kent State should be able to outscore the Zips here.
• Game 12: Miami (OH) (W) — Kent State will finish a brutal schedule with two straight wins.

Final record: 5-7, 4-4 MAC

This is just a tough schedule. Getting to even five wins is going to be difficult and, but there are enough toss-up games that they could get to six or seven, but it might take an upset or two.