Staff Predictions for Alabama vs Kent State

Alabama is entering their third non-conference game of the season, playing host to the Golden Flashes of Kent State. The Crimson Tide opened as 43 point favorites in Las Vegas, so will they take down their Mid-Atlantic Conference foes with ease, or will head coach Nick Saban's alma mater give them an unexpected fight?

Coming off a wild game against the Ole Miss Rebels, it seems as though the Crimson Tide will be getting a couple weeks of rest before hopping into their big stretch of games in October. They should handle the Golden Flashes with ease, but these kinds of opportunities are usually when coaches and players attempt to work on techniques and try to mix-and-match who works well with who on the field. These non-conference games between Power 5 and Group of 5 teams usually lean in the Power 5 team's direction, but as we've seen plenty of times just this season, it's not always a guarantee victory.

Martin Houston, Host of The Morning Blitz

Time for rest. Alabama 59, Kent State 3

Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Look for Bama to play a lot of people to help develop players for the stretch run. Coach Saban will call the dogs off his alma mater early and go very basic on both sides of ball. Alabama 45, Kent State 3

Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Look for Alabama to work on cleaning up penalties on both sides of ball. Play will be lackluster in front of a sparse crowd. Alabama 45, Kent State 6

Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show

After an exhausting game at Ole Miss, Alabama returns home to face Nick Saban's alma mater, Kent State from the Mid-American Conference. The Tide will post a shutout against the Golden Flashes, but Saban has no interest in embarrassing his alma mater. Alabama 38, Kent State 0

Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports

Statistically, KSU ranks as one of the worst offesnses in all of FBS. After giving up over 500 total yards and 37 points to Ole Miss last week, that probably sounds good to the Alabama defense. Alabama 45, Kent State 3

Aaron Suttles, Host of The Suttles Approach

Today 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. Alabama 48, Kent State 9

Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game

Kent State is no match for Alabama, this one is ugly from the opening whistle until the final whistle. However, Alabama needs to improve in several key areas, offensive line needs live reps and back-up running back needs to emerge for the Crimson Tide. Alabama 48, Kent State 0

Ben George, Digital Managing Editor

There’s not a lot to get excited about this weekend. 11 AM kickoff. 95 degrees. 43-point favorite. Saturday is more about reps, improving consistency, and keeping players healthy. Alabama 45, Kent State 0

James Hardy, Producer

A much needed breather arrives for Alabama after an emotional win in Oxford last weekend. If Alabama puts the game out of reach early, expect plenty of reserves including Blake Barnett to receive valuable playing time. Alabama 52, Kent State 3

Ryan McMunn, Producer

Last week's Ole Miss game managed to last more than four hours because of all the scoring and penalties and reviews. Don't worry, this game won't last that long... At least, it shouldn't. The Tide gets two weeks to take it a little easier and to iron out any deficiencies that they may see on film, but they handle their business with ease against the Golden Flashes. Alabama 48, Kent State 6