Two teams that like to focus on their running games, Head Coach Terry Bowden and the Akron Zips (+29) are set to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff for this game is set for 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to SEC Network.
Akron Zips vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview
South Carolina has been tabbed as heavily favored in this one and is currently giving up 29 points to Akron. If the Zips get out in front early it would generate a decent live betting opportunity. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 56 points.
Odds have moved from where they were first posted. The opening line was -28, while the game’s total has not changed after it was set initially at 56.
The disappointing Zips are 4-7 against the spread (ATS) and are down 6.4 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 4-7. The Gamecocks have gained 0.1 units this season. The team is 7-4 ATS and owns an O/U record of 7-4.
The Zips are 4-7 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Gamecocks are 6-5 SU.
The Zips are hoping to get back in stride after a 49-28 loss to Ohio last week. Kato Nelson completed 24-of-41 passes for 356 yards, four scores and one interception. Van Edwards, Jr. (19 rushing yards on 11 attempts) led the ground attack. Andre Williams (seven receptions, 81 yards, one TD) and Jonah Morris (five catches, 61 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Back on November 24, Clemson got the victory against this South Carolina crew by a score of 56-35. The Gamecocks defensive unit allowed the Tigers to pass for 393 yards while rushing for 351 yards and seven scores. Travis Etienne torched the defense, recording 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts for Clemson. For South Carolina, Jake Bentley completed 32-of-50 passes for 510 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Mon Denson (62 yards on 17 rush attempts) handled the running game while Deebo Samuel (10 receptions, 210 yards, three TDs) and Shi Smith (nine catches, 109 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Each of these squads sports a similar (51-49) run-pass ratio on the season. The Zips have rushed for 96 yards per game and have five scores on the ground this year. The Gamecocks are putting up 161 rush yards per game and have 15 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Gamecocks should own an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up just 18 sacks while the D-line has logged 19 sacks. The Zips offensive line has allowed 29 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing signal-callerss on just 20 occasions.
The Zips offense has logged 201 yards per game in the air overall and has 16 passing TDs so far. The Gamecocks have put up 285 pass yards per outing and have 29 total pass scores.
Akron appears to have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s let opponents rush for an average of 198 yards and pass for 190 yards per game. The South Carolina D has allowed 235.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.7 yards per game on the ground. The Zips are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.01 to opposing QBs, while the Gamecocks have allowed a 6.41 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Nelson is up to 2,003 yards this season. He’s completed 147-of-275 attempts with 15 scores through the air and eight interceptions. Nelson’s got a 6.05 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.65 over the last two outings.
Jake Bentley has managed to complete 184-of-293 passes for 2,415 yards, 20 TDs and 10 INTs for South Carolina. His ANY/A sits at 7.49 for the season and 11.30 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 14 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Akron Zips at South Carolina Gamecocks
SU Winner – South Carolina, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The Akron defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times this season. South Carolina has registered 19 sacks.
South Carolina has lost five fumbles in 2018 while Akron has lost nine.
The Zips offense has tallied seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Gamecocks have put up 12 such plays.
The Akron defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while South Carolina has given up six such plays.
The Akron offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while South Carolina has created 17 such runs.
The Zips defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Gamecocks have given up 19 such runs.
Akron has averaged 2.1 yards per carry over its past three games and 2.3 over its last two.
South Carolina has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its past two.
*****
