Props to Kent State for setting a harsh pre-MAC schedule that included Illinois, Penn State and Ole Miss. The Golden Flashes fell to all three but led the Illini by two TDs, hung with the Nittany Lions for nearly a half and was within 10 points of the Rebels well into the fourth quarter. The gauntlet of games should have Kent ready for the lesser competition in its league. Ball State has stumbled in its past nine MAC games at home and, for all encounters, has covered in three of the latest dozen.