What to watch for in (Mid) Week 14
Kent State QB Tommy Ultatowski attempts a pass against Akron on November 19th. Kent State Athletics
Tuesday
Kent State (0-11, 0-7 MAC) at Buffalo (7-4, 5-2 MAC)
7:00 PM ESPN+
The Kent State Golden Flashes are the only FBS team without a win this season and Tuesday night is their last chance to break into the win column against the Buffalo Bulls. Buffalo is a multi touchdown betting favorite at ESPN Bet and the team metrics favor. The Golden Flashes have had a brutal season and rank 132nd in points for and 134th in points against (out of 134). Out of conference Kent State traveled to Pitt (55-24), Tennessee (71-0), and Penn State (56-0) and dropped a home game 23-17 to St Francis PA, an FCS team. In conference play their best chance at a win was a 37-35 loss to Ball State, a game where the score was closer than the game. Buffalo has had a nice season and can still reach the MAC Championship game. They’ve featured some dynamic playmakers on defense, with linebacker Shaun Dolac racking up 146 tackles (leads FBS), 4 sacks, and 5 INTs (3rd in FBS). Fellow linebacker Red Murdock is 2nd in the FBS with 135 tackles, forcing 5 fumbles to lead the FBS, and has added 2 sacks. Despite this, Buffalo has allowed 29.9 points per game, which ranks 102nd in the nation. Either way, Kent State’s anemic offense will have difficulty moving the ball in their bid to join the rest of the FBS.
Toledo (7-4, 4-3 MAC) at Akron (3-8, 2-5 MAC)
7:00 PM ESPN2
After blowing out Mississippi State 41-17 on the road to move to 3-0, Toledo generated national buzz and I ranked them as the 4th best midmajor team. That was right before they came crashing back to earth against Western Kentucky, a game in which they blew a lead after a weather delay. Since their 3-0 start, the Rockets are 4-4 and have the chance to finish 8-4.
Thursday
Memphis (9-2, 5-2 AAC) at No. 20 Tulane (9-2, 7-0 AAC)
7:30 PM ESPN
A pair of 9-2 teams from the AAC square off in the only college football game to be played on Thanksgiving. Both teams are coming off a late season open week. Tulane has already clinched a spot in the AAC title game with Army and, should they win, will most likely host Army on December 6th. Tulane is still alive for a playoff bid, but in addition to winning out, needs Boise State to stumble or to finish the season ranked higher than the Big 12 Champion, which, given the chaos still to come, is possible. Tulane is a 2 touchdown favorite despite holding the same record as Memphis. Tulane has won their previous three games by a combined score of 121-9, most recently blanking 7-3 Navy 35-0 two weeks ago.
