Ohio @ Kent State preview
Dix Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Kent State 10, Ohio 17
Kent State is enjoying rarefied air this season. After all, the 23rd-ranked Golden Flashes are riding a program-best nine-game winning streak with a date in the Mid-American Conference championship game on the horizon. First things first, however, as Kent State will wrap up its regular season versus visiting Ohio on Friday. The Golden Flashes clinched the East Division crown after posting a 31-24 road victory over Bowling Green on Saturday. Junior Dri Archer rushed for a career-high 241 yards and two touchdowns for Kent State, which will take on Northern Illinois in the conference title game Nov. 30. A victory in that contest would give the Golden Flashes their first league championship since 1972.
TV: 11 a.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Kent State -10.5
ABOUT OHIO (8-3, 4-3 Mid-American): Junior Beau Blankenship rushed for 161 yards and a career-best three touchdowns, but the Bobcats suffered their third loss in four outings with a 52-27 setback to Ball State on Nov. 14. The tailspin has altered the complexion of Friday's game, which was tentatively looked upon to decide the East. Quarterback Tyler Tettleton has completed more than 60 percent of his passes in his last three games and thrown only two interceptions this season.
ABOUT KENT STATE (10-1, 7-0): While Archer has 14 rushing touchdowns and 21 total scores, sophomore Trayion Durham also surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau and has only one less touchdown on the ground. The Golden Flashes are averaging 244.6 rushing yards - and one would assume that coach Darrell Hazell won't deviate from a plan that is flourishing. Defensively, Kent State was burned by a pair of big plays and permitted 438 total yards versus Bowling Green.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Kent State has rushed for more than 200 yards on seven occasions this season. In addition, the Golden Flashes have surpassed the 300-yard plateau three times.
2. Blankenship sits 80 yards short of surpassing Kalvin McRae for Ohio's single-season record with 1,435.
3. The teams split their last two contests, with Ohio upending Kent State 17-10 last season.
PREDICTION: Kent State 34, Ohio 20