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Saban’s Savage Honesty: Why His Alma Mater Kent State is in for a Historic Rout Against Florida State
In the world of college football, few voices carry the weight of Nick Saban. So when the legendary former coach offers a prediction, the entire sport listens. His forecast for the Kent State vs Florida State Week 4 clash was delivered with a mix of brutal honesty and alma mater loyalty, and it paints a very grim picture for the Golden Flashes.
Kent State vs Florida State
During the prediction segment on ESPN’s iconic College GameDay, Saban did not mince words. The exchange came after fellow analyst Desmond Howard predicted that Kent State would manage to cover the massive 45.5-point spread. Saban, a proud Kent State alumnus, quickly tempered any hopes of a Cinderella story.
Prefacing his statement by acknowledging his deep connection to the program, Saban nonetheless delivered a jaw-droppingly blunt assessment. He stated that despite his personal ties, he fully expects the No. 7-ranked Florida State Seminoles to absolutely dominate the game.
Kent State vs Florida State
“I think Florida State kicks the s*** out of us,” Saban said, a quote swiftly captured by Awful Announcing. Kent State vs Florida State
Saban’s connection to Kent State is well-documented but worth reiterating. He graduated from the university in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business. On the field, he contributed as a reserve cornerback. More importantly, his entire storied coaching career began in Kent, Ohio, where he served as a graduate assistant and earned a master’s degree in sports administration in 1975. His prediction, therefore, isn’t made lightly; it’s an expert analysis from someone who knows both institutions intimately.
Why Saban’s Prediction is Likely Spot-On- Kent State vs Florida State
The statistical and performance gap between these two teams is a chasm, justifying the overwhelming point spread and Saban’s stark language.
Florida State’s Meteoric Rise: The Seminoles entered the 2025 season unranked, a testament to their disappointing 2024 campaign. However, they have exploded out of the gate with a statement-making 2-0 start. Their season began with a seismic upset over the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide, instantly announcing their return to relevance. They followed that colossal win by utterly decimating East Texas A&M 77-3 in Week 2, demonstrating an offense that is both high-powered and ruthless.
Kent State’s Struggles: The Golden Flashes, in contrast, have faced a tough early schedule and currently hold a 1-2 record. After a narrow Week 1 win over Merrimack, they were blown out by Texas Tech 62-14. They also dropped a game to Buffalo, highlighting the challenges they face competing against power conference opponents. Their defense has proven vulnerable, a disastrous weakness when facing a Seminole offense that is firing on all cylinders.
The Danger of Looking Ahead- Kent State vs Florida State
The only conceivable scenario where Kent State keeps this game closer than projected is if Florida State falls into a trap. The Seminoles begin ACC play on the road in Week 5 against Virginia. It would be human nature for a team to potentially look past a heavy underdog and toward its first conference matchup.
However, all indications are that head coach Mike Norvell will have his team sharply focused. The bitter taste of the 2024 season, which Saban alluded to as “disappointing,” is this team’s driving motivation. They have been granted no leeway to take any opponent for granted. Furthermore, coming off a bye week, Norvell has had extra time to drill his team on the minor details and ensure there is no post-Alabama hangover or lapse in concentration.
Final Outlook – Kent State vs Florida State
While Desmond Howard’s spread-cover prediction offers a sliver of hope for Kent State, Nick Saban’s analysis is grounded in the cold, hard reality of on-field performance. His shocking quote isn’t meant as disrespect to his alma mater; it’s a candid evaluation from the greatest college football coach of all time. He sees the sheer talent, momentum, and focus of this Florida State team and recognizes the harsh truth.
When the final whistle blows in Tallahassee, expect Saban’s painful prediction to be proven correct. The Kent State vs Florida State game is less about the final score and more about how a dominant national contender handles its business against an overmatched opponent.