Kent State Golden Flashes:
Kenni Burns took over last year with a completely bare cupboard as he returned zero offensive starters. Predictably, the Golden Flashes struggled and were the only team in FBS that failed to earn a victory over a fellow FBS program.
This year, both coordinators are new but promoted from within the staff as Mark Carney goes from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator while Kody Morgan goes from safeties coach to defensive coordinator.
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Kent State looks a bit improved just with more roster continuity, but they will get a baptism by fire early with road games at Pitt, Tennessee, and Penn State.
Offense
Quarterback Tommy Ulatowski saw playing time in 10 games last season, including three late season starts. He threw for more than 200 yards in his first two starts and finished the season with seven touchdowns and two interceptions and goes into the fall as the starter but is being challenged by Devin Kangman (one start) and Troy transfer JD Sherrod.
Running back Gavin Garcia, who led the Golden Flashes with 544 yards and two touchdowns, will share time with Kansas transfer Ky Thomas, who played for and was recruited by Burns at Minnesota in 2021. They will run behind an offensive line that gave up 41 sacks and started three true freshmen but returns all five starters.
Receiver Chrishon McCray (41 catches, 610 yards, 4 TD) is the star of the offense and was 1st Team All-MAC. Luke Floriea (39 catches, 405 yards, 4 TD) also returns.
Defense
The Flashes ranked 50th nationally against the pass last year but must replace both starting corners. Alex Branch returns at free safety and Kent brings in Xavier Coxley (James Madison) and Dallas Branch (San Diego State) to replace those starting corners.
Khalib Johns returns at middle linebacker after missing the better part of two seasons. Rocco Nichol was the spring standout at linebacker.
On the defensive line, Stephen Daley and Oliver Billotte combined for 78 tackles.
Outlook
While the non-conference schedule does not provide many victories, Kent State will get one vs. FCS St. Francis. The Flashes avoid Toledo and Northern Illinois and do get games against fellow rebuilding teams Akron and Buffalo.
This is still a massive undertaking to get this program competitive, but the Flashes might be able to steal an unexpected win in a conference game as there is not much separation talent-wise other than the top couple teams in this conference.
Pick: Over 2.5 Wins
