In a battle of two schools that prefer to keep it on the ground, Head Coach John Bonamego and the Central Michigan Chippewas (+6) are set to pay a visit to their in-conference nemesis Akron Zips (-6) at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium. This afternoon game is scheduled to commence at 12:00 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 has the TV rights.
Central Michigan Chippewas at Akron Zips Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mid-American matchup, Akron is projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 6 points. The Chippewas are also receiving +185 moneyline odds while the Zips are -230. This MAC matchup should provide several decent in-game betting possibilities, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points.
This game’s over/under hasn’t moved after being initially posted at 45.5. Having said that, the line opened at -7 and sharp bettors tend to be siding with the Chippewas.
The Chippewas are down 5.8 units so far in 2018 and 4-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a decent under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 3-5. The Zips are down 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Chippewas are 1-7 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against conference opponents. The Zips are 3-3 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Chippewas lost to Western Michigan 35-10 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Broncos to kill the clock by rushing for 305 yards on 55 attempts, including five rush TDs. Offensively, Tommy Lazzaro completed just nine passes on 24 attempts for 104 yards and two interceptions. Lazzaro (38 rushing yards on 17 attempts) also spearheaded the ground attack and was complemented by Romello Ross (69 yards on 11 carries, one TD). Julian Hicks (three receptions, 57 yards) and Brandon Childress (two catches, 20 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Akron just picked up a 24-23 win over Kent State. Kato Nelson completed 19-of-35 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Nelson (90 rushing yards on 17 attempts, one TD) and Van Edwards, Jr. (39 yards on 13 carries) handled the running game while Andre Williams (four receptions, 72 yards, one TD) and Jonah Morris (three catches, 36 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Central Michigan has run the ball on 57.3 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 59.9 percent across possessions in conference play. Akron has a rush percentage of 52.4 percent, and has kept it on the ground 50.0 percent of the time against MAC opponents. The Chippewas have produced 140 rush yards per game (including 185 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have six scores on the ground this year. The Zips are averaging 117 rushing yards per game (106 in conference) and have four total rush TDs.
The Chippewas offensive scheme has averaged 145 yards through the air overall (145 per game against conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Zips have recorded 201 pass yards per game (179.0 against MAC foes) and also have eight total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Central Michigan seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 212 rush yards and 141 pass yards per game. The Akron defense has given up 223.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 149.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.97 to opponents, while the Zips have given up a 5.57 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lazzaro has amassed 584 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 57-of-119 attempts with four scores through the air and 10 interceptions. He has a 1.27 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 2.65 over the last two games.
Romello Ross (83 rushing yards, two rush TDs on the year), Tommy Lazzaro (148 rush yards, two rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) and Tony Poljan (73 receiving yards, one TD) have all played significant roles of late.
Kato Nelson has completed 83-of-152 passes for 1,084 yards, eight TDs and six INTs for Akron. His ANY/A sits at 5.53 for the year and 3.19 across his past two games.
Similar to the Chippewas, expect a balanced attack offensively from Akron this Saturday. Kato Nelson (255 rushing yards, one rush TD, zero receiving yards this season), Andre Williams (314 receiving yards, four receiving TDs) and Van Edwards, Jr. (228 rush yards, two rush TDs) have combined for 355 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the last two games.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to face each other in 2017.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas at Akron Zips
SU Winner – Central Michigan, ATS Winner – Central Michigan, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Chippewas offense has yet to create a pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Zips have put up three such plays.
The Central Michigan defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Akron has given up three such plays.
The Central Michigan offense has created four rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Akron has created five such runs.
The Chippewas defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Zips have given up five such runs.
The Central Michigan D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times this year. Akron has produced just five sacks.
Central Michigan has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
Akron has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.7 over its past two.
Over its last three contests, Akron is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Central Michigan’s last game was 53.5. The under cashed in the team’s 35-10 loss to Western Michigan.
In its last three contests, Central Michigan is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Akron’s previous matchup was set at 49. The under cashed in the 24-23 victory over Kent State.
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