Kent just fired a coach for debt/legal problems after already extending him. There were allegations of verbal abuse, drinking on the job, etc. that they neglected to investigate. Their program has the nation's longest losing streak and is 1-23 these past 2 seasons (their lone win coming against a FCS squad). Whatever they did to circumvent the APR threshold is the least they could do. Akron's APR issue seems to have stemmed largely from Arth/Portal, and the APR is a joke regardless. If anyone is mired in a quicksand of stupidity, it's the NCAA.
Kent basketball had 2 players quit the team last season (one was allegedly punched in the face by a teammate), they've had numerous DWI/DUI issues over the years, the 2022 diss track debacle, and a head coach who was part of a large recruiting scandal at Indiana (not to mention he called Akron the Yankees).
In a college athletics world judged solely by what is done on the field of competition, Kent hasn't beaten Akron in football/men's basketball since March 2023. In addition, Akron are back to back MAC champs and have won 3 out of the last 4 MAC tournaments.
Furthermore, regarding the high ground - speaking quite literally - Akron is located in SUMMIT County, and according to Britannica, sits at a higher elevation than Kent.
It's over, Anakin. Akron has the high ground, and Kent State Still Sucks.