Redshirt
Matchup preview

Kent State vs South Carolina

Kent State visit South Carolina in Week 1. The model favors South Carolina by 40.2. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
1%
99%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 2 · refreshed weekly

The model and the market land in the same place on the outcome and differ only on scale. SP+ rates South Carolina at 12.6 (24th) against Kent State at -22.4 (129th), a 35-point rating gap that projects a 37.4-point South Carolina margin. Both the model and the two-book consensus put South Carolina at 99% to win and Kent State at 1%. The friction is the number: the market sets the line at -36, roughly a point and a half short of the model's projected margin, with the total at 54.

Unit ranks explain the chasm. South Carolina's defense ranks 21st and its offense 41st, while Kent State sits 128th on both sides. Season simulations widen the separation: South Carolina projects to 6.6 wins with a 10.3% Playoff chance and 0.6% title odds, near the market's 0.7%. Kent State's 10,000-run outlook returns 4 wins, 0% Playoff and 0% title. With the winner priced as settled, the margin against that -36 line is the only tradable question here.

Model and market agree at 99% on South Carolina; the only live question is whether the 37.4-point projection clears the -36 line.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
SC -35.8
Total (O/U)
53.2
Favorite
SC
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Kent State1%-2 ptsvsSouth Carolina99%+2 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Kent State favoredSouth Carolina favoredAug 19Aug 24Aug 27Aug 30Sep 2Sep 5Sep 6

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Kent State's win price; South Carolina's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Kent State is favored, below it South Carolina is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#137SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#26
#133FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#34
1001EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1697
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.0.8%
Kent StateSouth Carolinasolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
More Week 1 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Kent State vs South Carolina game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Kent State vs South Carolina market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Kent State and South Carolina play?

Week 1 of 2026, on Sep 5, 2026 at South Carolina.

Who is favored?

The model projects South Carolina by 40.2 (99% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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