The Kent State Golden Flashes will visit the Florida State Seminoles in Week 4 of the college football season on Saturday. Florida State returns home after a bye week with a ton of momentum, while Kent State enters Week 4 still trying to prove itself against FBS competition. Before kickoff from Tallahassee, continue reading to get my thoughts on both sides of this matchup and to get my Kent State vs Florida State prediction.
Our Kent State vs Florida State Pick
- Pick: Florida State -44.5
- Confidence: 2/5
- Get Your Bonus Bets: Bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets INSTANTLY using our DraftKings Sportsbook bonus. Click the Claim Bonus button below to start!
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+ 
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Game Snapshot
| Matchup: | Kent State Golden Flashes @ Florida State Seminoles |
| Date & Time: | Saturday, September 20, 2025, 3:30 PM EDT |
| Venue: | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL |
| Broadcast: | ACC Network |
Key Storylines
- Florida State’s dramatic turnaround has been impressive early in the season. After a 2-10 season last year, the Seminoles have reloaded via the transfer portal and staff shake-ups. They opened with a signature win over Alabama and followed with an offensive clinic vs East Texas A&M out of the FCS. Their balance between run and pass has improved dramatically so far this season.
- Kent State’s progress under interim head coach Mark Carney has been lacking. The Golden Flashes snapped a long overall losing streak by beating FCS Merrimack and nearly upset Buffalo. But they have yet to beat an FBS opponent and aren’t likely to do so here either.
- Florida State enters this game ranked seventh in the country with a 2-0 record. They will need to win by a huge margin if they want to have any chance of moving up in the rankings in this guarantee game at home.
Quarterback Play
Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos has been efficient. Through two games, he has completed 17 of 25 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He should have another easy day here, one where he won’t have to throw the ball much for his team to move down the field effectively.
Kent State signal-caller Dru DeShields has also shown promise. He has four touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception for the Golden Flashes. But the Golden Flashes lost 62-14 to Texas Tech already this year and DeShields isn’t likely to prevent a similar bloodletting in this contest from FSU.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Kent State has lost 23 straight games to FBS opponents, including a close loss to Buffalo in their last outing.
- Florida State is 2-0 against the spread so far this season.
- Kent State is 1-2 against the spread for the year.
Kent State vs Florida State Model Projection
Score Projection: Florida State 55 – Kent State 7
Win Probability: Florida State 98%, Kent State 2%
Final Thoughts
Everything points to Florida State dominating this game. The Seminoles’ explosive offense, efficient quarterback play, strong run game, and improved defense should be way too much for Kent State to handle. Kent State’s improvements have not held up against power conference competition and won’t be enough to overcome FSU’s strength across the board. The Seminoles should win by a large margin, covering the massive point spread in this game.
