A couple of schools that prefer to run the football, Eagles (-13) are set to host their MAC counterpart Akron Zips in Eastern Michigan. ESPN 3 will televise the action and the key afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Akron Zips at Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Preview
Akron is a noticeable road underdog in this MAC game and is currently getting 13 points. The Zips are also receiving +375 moneyline odds while the Eagles are -550. It appears that there should be some good live betting opportunities in this match, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 44.5 points.
The Zips are 3-5 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.0 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a decent under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 3-5. The Eagles have gained 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-6.
The Zips have gone 4-4 straight up (SU), including 2-3 SU against MAC opponents. The Eagles are 5-5 SU overall and 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Zips are looking to bounce back after a 36-26 loss to Northern Illinois last week. The passing attack was on point as the Zips completed 21-of-38 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Kato Nelson went 18-for-26 for 299 yards and two touchdowns while Alex Ramart completed three-of-12 for 27 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Van Edwards, Jr. (38 yards on 12 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Nelson (-2 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Andre Williams (eight receptions, 129 yards, one TD) and Kwadarrius Smith (four catches, 115 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Eastern Michigan is coming off of a 17-7 win over Central Michigan. As a group, the team collectively completed 21-of-33 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tyler Wiegers went 17-for-25 for 150 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Mike Glass III was three-of-seven for 63 yards. Shaq Vann (114 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) led the running game as Blake Banham (seven receptions, 99 yards, one TD) and Mathew Sexton (five catches, 15 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Akron has run the ball on 51.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Eastern Michigan has an overall rush percentage of 54.5 percent. The Zips have produced 111 rush yards/game (including 102 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have five touchdowns on the ground this year. The Eagles are averaging 133 rushing yards per game (157 in conference) and have 17 total rush TDs.
The Zips offense has averaged 210 yards through the air overall (202 per game against conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Eagles have recorded 250 pass yards per game (234.8 against MAC competition) and have 18 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Akron has allowed 166 rush yards and 212 pass yards per game. The Eastern Michigan defense has allowed 168.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 207.5 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Zips have given up an ANY/A of 5.13 to opposing QBs, while the Eagles are allowing an ANY/A of 4.64.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 1,498 passing yards this year, and has connected on 55 percent of his 207 attempts with 10 passing scores and seven interceptions. He has a 5.67 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 7.86 over the past two outings.
Andre Williams (490 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns on the year), Kwadarrius Smith (334 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Van Edwards, Jr. (321 rush yards, two rush TDs) have each played key roles of late.
Tyler Wiegers has managed to complete 124-of-187 passes for 1,418 yards, nine TDs and two INTs for Eastern Michigan. His ANY/A stands at 6.69 for the year and 5.95 over his past two outings.
Blake Banham, Shaq Vann and Dylan Drummond have collectively accounted for 415 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns over the last two games.
These two MAC foes did not get a chance to play each other a year ago.
Free NCAA Betting Tip: Akron Zips at Eastern Michigan Eagles
SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
As a team, Akron has produced 3.2 yards per carry over its past three games and 2.9 over its last two.
Eastern Michigan has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.2 over its past two.
Both teams have lost eight fumbles this year.
Eastern Michigan has won four of its last five games SU, with a -15-point defeat to Army West Point on October 27th representing the lone loss over that stretch.
The Zips offense has created six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Eagles have accounted for 11 such plays.
The Akron defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Eastern Michigan has given up five such plays.
The Akron offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Eastern Michigan has created 10 such runs.
The Zips defense has allowed eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Eagles have given up 14 such runs.
The Eastern Michigan defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times this year. Akron has registered 15 sacks.
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