The Zips (-7) are prepared to host their MAC rival Bowling Green Falcons in Akron. This afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 will broadcast the action.
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Akron Zips Betting Preview
Bowling Green is a live dog in this Saturday pairing and is currently getting 7 points. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently need to wager $300 in order to win $100 back on the Zips (-300). The Falcons are getting +220 moneyline odds. There will probably be multiple decent live betting possibilities for this showdown, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
The Falcons are 3-7 against the spread (ATS) and are down 1.5 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U mark of 5-4. The Zips have lost 4.0 units this season. The team is 3-6 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-6.
The Falcons have gone 2-8 straight up (SU), including 1-5 SU against conference opponents. The Zips are 4-5 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
The Falcons are on the upswing after a 24-13 win over Central Michigan last week where Jarret Doege completed only 13 passes on 23 attempts for 113 yards, as well as one score and a pick. Andrew Clair (82 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) and Rico Frye (45 yards on 12 carries) led the ground attack while Scott Miller (seven receptions, 73 yards) and Jordan Wayne-Prather (three catches, 43 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Akron most-recently dropped a 27-7 game to Eastern Michigan. Alex Ramart completed four-of-15 passes for 29 yards and three interceptions. Van Edwards, Jr. (53 rushing yards on 17 attempts) mounted the running game as Kwadarrius Smith (two receptions, 22 yards) and Andre Williams (one catch, four yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Bowling Green has run the ball on 49.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Akron has a rush percentage of 53.1 percent. The Falcons have rushed for 112 yards per game (including 129 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Zips are averaging 106 rushing yards per game (95 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Falcons offense has tallied 254 yards/contest through the air overall (259 per game versus conference opposition) and has 25 passing TDs so far. The Zips have put up 190 pass yards per contest (173.5 against MAC competition) and have 12 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Bowling Green seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 296 rush yards and 171 pass yards per game. The Akron defense has given up 203.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 175.2 yards per game on the ground. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.14 to opposing QBs, while the Falcons have given up an 8.23 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Doege has amassed 2,191 yards this season, and has completed 63 percent of his 308 attempts with 21 scores through the air and nine interceptions. He has a 6.21 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 4.14 over the past two games.
In the home locker room, Kato Nelson has completed 123-of-234 passes for 1,647 yards, 11 TDs and seven INTs. Nelson’s ANY/A stands at 5.59 for the season and 10.63 over his past two games.
When these two programs faced each other a year ago, Akron earned the win 34-23.
Betting Pick: Bowling Green Falcons vs. Akron Zips
SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Falcons offense has recorded nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Zips have accounted for six such plays.
The Bowling Green defense has allowed 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Akron has given up three such plays.
The Bowling Green offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Akron has created eight such runs.
The Falcons defense has allowed 26 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Zips have given up 10 such runs.
The Akron D has notched 16 sacks on the year while Bowling Green has 11.
Bowling Green has produced 3.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 2.9 over its last two.
Akron has averaged 2.6 yards per carry over its last three games and 1.6 over its last two.
Over its last three matches, Akron is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Bowling Green’s last game was 50. The under cashed in the team’s 24-13 victory over Central Michigan.
In its last three contests, Bowling Green is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Akron’s last outing going into it was 42. The under cashed in the 27-7 loss to Eastern Michigan.
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