The Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-4) play the Akron Zips (2-3) looking to snap their three-game losing streak. This game will feature the MAC’s second-leading rusher, Darius Jackson (473 yards, 8 TDs). While this season hasn’t gone as hoped for Akron, they have shown signs of life in recent weeks, winning two of their last three. The game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 10 and will air on ESP3.
Eastern Michigan lost big to LSU 44-22 last week. Sam Browning had a good game in the loss, registering six receptions for 87 yards. Akron came up short as well, barely losing to Ohio 14-12. Thomas Woodson had a solid outing passing the ball for the Zips, completing 18 of 38 passes for 231 yards and one interception. Conor Hundley finished with 66 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
The Eagles, a nine-point underdog, will be looking to defend their home field when Akron comes to town.
Despite a 1-4 Straight Up (SU) record this season, the Eagles have fared well Against The Spread (ATS) with a 3-2 record. The Zips could have a difficult time throwing the ball against the fourth-best pass defense in the nation. The Eagles give up 117.6 yards per game through the air. Keep an eye on Eastern Michigan to turn it up a notch during the second quarter, when it averages 13.8 points per game.
On the other side, the Zips have 2-3 SU and 1-3-1 ATS records this season. The Akron defense has allowed just 92.2 yards per game this season, 13th in the nation. The Zips need to capitalize on bad throws and tipped balls against the Eagles, who rank 117th in the country in interceptions thrown with 1.6 per game. Eastern Michigan rarely has an advantage when it comes to time of possession. The team has an average time of possession of 26:22 this season, making them 113th in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron
Notes
Eastern Michigan is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Eastern Michigan’s last 8 games.
Eastern Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Eastern Michigan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Eastern Michigan is 8-1-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Akron.
Eastern Michigan is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Akron.
Eastern Michigan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Akron.
Akron is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Eastern Michigan.
Akron is 2-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Eastern Michigan is 1-2 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Eastern Michigan is winless (0-3 SU) in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, and an even 1-1 SU when losing the turnover battle.
