Offense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama’s offense has had some fits and starts, but the Crimson Tide has demonstrated big-play ability and is starting to develop a running attack. Damien Harris is averaging 109 yards per game, fifth-best in the SEC. Jalen Hurts adds more rushing potential from the quarterback spot. Kent State is averaging 25.3 points and 299 yards per game.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
The Crimson Tide gave up a lot of passing yards to Ole Miss, but this defense is stone-solid against the run. Da’Ron Payne is an immovable object in the middle up front, and there’s speed all around. UA is yielding just 62.7 yards on the ground. Kent State has given up 320 yards per contest.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
Eddie Jackson added some spark to Alabama’s return game, taking a punt back for a touchdown vs. Ole Miss. Adam Griffith seems steady at kicker and JK Scott shook off a bad shank to have a solid game last week. Kent State has problems with its punting game and has had a field goal blocked.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama’s offensive coordinator has been able to dial up big plays week after week. He knows how to identify playmakers and get the ball into their hands, and he has a knack for creating mismatch problems. Paul Haynes is a Kent State alum with a tough job at a school where it’s not easy to win.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama should be sky-high with the momentum of last week’s road victory at Ole Miss. An early kickoff might dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm a bit, and this won’t have the big-game atmosphere of an SEC contest, but the Crimson Tide is riding high with a No. 1 national ranking and feeling good about itself.
Prediction:
Alabama 43, Kent State 7
There’s nowhere on the field that Alabama doesn’t have an edge in talent, and that will show. Alabama’s defense needs to bounce back and show it can play shutdown football, and the offense is still fine-tuning itself in a lot of areas. This is a perfect game to work out some more kinks.
Alabama 59, Kent State 17
Alabama coach Nick Saban welcomes his alma mater to Bryant-Denny Stadium, and he’ll send them home with a loss. If the Crimson Tide doesn’t overlook Kent State, the end result will be a lopsided affair. The Mid-American Conference has had its fair share of upsets, and that is the one thing Alabama doesn’t want to happen again.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 45, Kent State 14
Alabama became the 'comeback kid' after a dismal first half against Ole Miss but it gave up 13 points in eight seconds. The Tide needs to become a first-half team. However, Kent State is 1-2 on the season and doesn't pose much of a threat to the Tide. Kent State might be Saban's alma mater, but he won't go easy on the team.
Drew Hill
Alabama 59, Kent State 6
Alabama was a 43-point favorite to start the week, the largest spread since the Crimson Tide played Southern Miss in 2014. Kent State's offense has no hope in this game, and their defense will get exposed as well. Crimson Tide by 50 or more.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 41, Kent State 7
I don't think there will be any concerted effort to run up the score this morning. I just think there's this much difference between the two teams. Plus, welcome to the 94-degree South, Golden Flashes.
Ben Jones
Alabama 52, Kent State 3
Not a lot of suspense in this one. Kent State may be the worst opponent on Alabama's schedule, FCS Chattanooga included. The Crimson Tide should be able to take what it wants, when it wants it. There will be nowhere on the field that Kent State can find an advantage against Alabama.
Michael Southern
Alabama 45, Kent State 6
After an emotional roller-coaster ride last week against Ole Miss, top-ranked Alabama will have to grind through an early-morning start against Kent State. The contributions from the freshmen continue to increase so this is another opportunity for them to gain valuable experience. Meanwhile expect the defense to return to its normal form.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 56, Kent State 3
Nick Saban doesn't want to put too much of a beating on his alma mater, but because Kent State doesn't have the horses to run with the Crimson Tide, he might not have a choice. After last week's slow start against Ole Miss, look for a more enthusiastic Crimson Tide start today.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 48, Kent State 9
Saturday is all about reps, reps, reps. After being sloppy at times during the first three games, this game is all about cleaning up the self-inflicted mistakes.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 41, Kent State 10
Alabama showed off its running game against Ole Miss better than it had the previous two games. As long as that remains consistent, there’s no reason the Crimson Tide shouldn’t win today. There has to be a stronger emphasis on the ground than in the air anyway with wide receiver ArDarius Stewart questionable.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 52, Kent State 10
Alabama's ground game found its legs last weekend. The only thing slowing down the running backs this week will be the play calling. Alabama will emphasize the pass to get quarterback Jalen Hurts more comfortable throwing the ball downfield. Bonus: Expect two non-offensive touchdowns.
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama’s offense has had some fits and starts, but the Crimson Tide has demonstrated big-play ability and is starting to develop a running attack. Damien Harris is averaging 109 yards per game, fifth-best in the SEC. Jalen Hurts adds more rushing potential from the quarterback spot. Kent State is averaging 25.3 points and 299 yards per game.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
The Crimson Tide gave up a lot of passing yards to Ole Miss, but this defense is stone-solid against the run. Da’Ron Payne is an immovable object in the middle up front, and there’s speed all around. UA is yielding just 62.7 yards on the ground. Kent State has given up 320 yards per contest.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
Eddie Jackson added some spark to Alabama’s return game, taking a punt back for a touchdown vs. Ole Miss. Adam Griffith seems steady at kicker and JK Scott shook off a bad shank to have a solid game last week. Kent State has problems with its punting game and has had a field goal blocked.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama’s offensive coordinator has been able to dial up big plays week after week. He knows how to identify playmakers and get the ball into their hands, and he has a knack for creating mismatch problems. Paul Haynes is a Kent State alum with a tough job at a school where it’s not easy to win.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama should be sky-high with the momentum of last week’s road victory at Ole Miss. An early kickoff might dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm a bit, and this won’t have the big-game atmosphere of an SEC contest, but the Crimson Tide is riding high with a No. 1 national ranking and feeling good about itself.
Prediction:
Alabama 43, Kent State 7
There’s nowhere on the field that Alabama doesn’t have an edge in talent, and that will show. Alabama’s defense needs to bounce back and show it can play shutdown football, and the offense is still fine-tuning itself in a lot of areas. This is a perfect game to work out some more kinks.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 59, Kent State 17
Alabama coach Nick Saban welcomes his alma mater to Bryant-Denny Stadium, and he’ll send them home with a loss. If the Crimson Tide doesn’t overlook Kent State, the end result will be a lopsided affair. The Mid-American Conference has had its fair share of upsets, and that is the one thing Alabama doesn’t want to happen again.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 45, Kent State 14
Alabama became the 'comeback kid' after a dismal first half against Ole Miss but it gave up 13 points in eight seconds. The Tide needs to become a first-half team. However, Kent State is 1-2 on the season and doesn't pose much of a threat to the Tide. Kent State might be Saban's alma mater, but he won't go easy on the team.
Drew Hill
Alabama 59, Kent State 6
Alabama was a 43-point favorite to start the week, the largest spread since the Crimson Tide played Southern Miss in 2014. Kent State's offense has no hope in this game, and their defense will get exposed as well. Crimson Tide by 50 or more.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 41, Kent State 7
I don't think there will be any concerted effort to run up the score this morning. I just think there's this much difference between the two teams. Plus, welcome to the 94-degree South, Golden Flashes.
Ben Jones
Alabama 52, Kent State 3
Not a lot of suspense in this one. Kent State may be the worst opponent on Alabama's schedule, FCS Chattanooga included. The Crimson Tide should be able to take what it wants, when it wants it. There will be nowhere on the field that Kent State can find an advantage against Alabama.
Michael Southern
Alabama 45, Kent State 6
After an emotional roller-coaster ride last week against Ole Miss, top-ranked Alabama will have to grind through an early-morning start against Kent State. The contributions from the freshmen continue to increase so this is another opportunity for them to gain valuable experience. Meanwhile expect the defense to return to its normal form.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 56, Kent State 3
Nick Saban doesn't want to put too much of a beating on his alma mater, but because Kent State doesn't have the horses to run with the Crimson Tide, he might not have a choice. After last week's slow start against Ole Miss, look for a more enthusiastic Crimson Tide start today.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 48, Kent State 9
Saturday is all about reps, reps, reps. After being sloppy at times during the first three games, this game is all about cleaning up the self-inflicted mistakes.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 41, Kent State 10
Alabama showed off its running game against Ole Miss better than it had the previous two games. As long as that remains consistent, there’s no reason the Crimson Tide shouldn’t win today. There has to be a stronger emphasis on the ground than in the air anyway with wide receiver ArDarius Stewart questionable.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 52, Kent State 10
Alabama's ground game found its legs last weekend. The only thing slowing down the running backs this week will be the play calling. Alabama will emphasize the pass to get quarterback Jalen Hurts more comfortable throwing the ball downfield. Bonus: Expect two non-offensive touchdowns.
