Ohio State 2026 opponent breakdown: Week 3, Kent State

What percent chance do Doug and Bill give the Buckeyes to beat Kent State on Sept. 19?

Kent State receiver Da’Realyst Clark was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2025. (Photo courtesy of Kent State athletics)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will play for a national championship this year. At least, that’s what having Kent State on the schedule tells us.

The Buckeyes have previously played the Golden Flashes three times. In all three seasons — 2002, 2007, 2014 — Ohio State has reached the national title game and won it twice. That’s the kind of energy Kent State brings to an Ohio State football season.

We’re continuing our opponent-by-opponent look at OSU’s 2026 schedule today with the Flashes, who will come to Ohio Stadium the week after the Buckeyes’ primetime nonconference showdown with Texas. Get a breakdown of Kent State below, along with our percent chance of an OSU win and our season-long percent chance of OSU having an undefeated regular season.

Also, check out the podcast we did with Kent State head coach Mark Carney:

Previous schedule breakdowns

Week 1: Ball State

Week 2: Texas

Kent State Golden Flashes

Ohio State opponent No. 3

Sept. 19, noon, at Ohio Stadium

2025 record

5-7, 4-4, tied for sixth in the MAC

2025 stats

• 130 out of 136 teams in final SP+ ratings

• 129 in FEI ratings (No. 111 offense, No. 131 defense)

• 116 in adjusted EPA/play (No. 109 offense, No. 94 defense)

• Scored 21.3 ppg (No. 115), allowed 33.6 ppg (128)

History vs. Buckeyes