In a battle featuring two schools that prefer to feature their running games, Head Coach Terry Bowden and the Akron Zips (+22) are set to take on their in-conference foe Ohio Bobcats at Peden Stadium. The opening kickoff for this game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET and you can watch the action on CBS Sports Network.
Akron Zips at Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
Ohio has been tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 22 points to Akron. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 54 points. Multiple good in-game betting scenarios might present themselves during this match.
This matchup’s line has recently shifted down from -20 to where it stands now (-22). The game’s total has yet to change after it was initially set at 54.
The disappointing Zips are down 6.4 units so far and 3-7 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 3-7. The Bobcats are up 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 7-4 ATS and the over’s hit in six of their games.
The Zips have gone only 4-6 straight up (SU), including 2-5 SU against MAC opponents. The Bobcats are 7-4 SU overall and 5-2 SU in conference play.
The Zips fell to Bowling Green 21-6 in a contest where their defense allowed the Falcons to eat up the clock by rushing for 221 yards on 41 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Andrew Clair had a productive day for the opposition in that one with 112 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Offensively, Kato Nelson completed just 12 passes on 28 attempts for 148 yards. Van Edwards, Jr. (69 rushing yards on 18 attempts) led the ground attack in the loss. Kwadarrius Smith (three receptions, 37 yards) and Jeremiah Knight (two catches, 19 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Ohio enters this one having just earned a 52-17 win over Buffalo. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Bulls to rush for 157 yards on 22 attempts, including two rush TDs. Anthony Johnson had a productive showing in the loss, recording 95 yards on six catches for Buffalo. For Ohio, Nathan Rourke completed 17-of-26 passes for 209 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. A.J. Ouellette (196 yards on 26 rush attempts, two TDs) and Maleek Irons (92 yards on 12 carries, one TD) spearheaded the ground game in the win as Papi White (eight receptions, 84 yards, one TD) and Andrew Meyer (four catches, 41 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Akron has run the ball on 52.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Ohio has an overall rush percentage of 63.0 percent. The Zips have produced 103 rush yards/game (including 93 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have five touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Bobcats are averaging 251 rushing yards per game (268 in conference) and have 32 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results are any indication, then the Bobcats ought to hold an advantage when it comes to quarterback protection, as their offensive line has yielded only 17 sacks while their D-line has registered 20 sacks. The Zips offensive line has allowed 27 sacks and their defense has got to opposing signal-callerss on just 18 occasions.
The Zips offensive scheme has tallied 186 yards/contest in the air overall (170 per game against conference opposition) and has 12 passing TDs so far. The Bobcats have put up 220 pass yards per outing (206.1 in the MAC) and have 24 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Akron appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 180 rush yards and 201 pass yards per game. The Ohio defense has allowed 255.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 146.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.15 to opponents, while the Bobcats have given up a 6.56 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 1,795 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 52 percent of his 262 attempts with 11 scores through the air and seven interceptions. He has a 5.40 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 3.81 over the last two games.
Van Edwards, Jr. (486 rushing yards, three rush TDs this season), Kwadarrius Smith (383 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Mykel Traylor-Bennett (95 receiving yards) have each played significant roles lately.
Nathan Rourke has connected on 133-of-211 passes for 1,978 yards, 20 TDs and six INTs for Ohio. His ANY/A stands at 8.93 for the season and 7.04 over his past two outings.
We expect the Bobcats to control the game’s pace by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with WR Papi White (790 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs this season), A.J. Ouellette (805 rush yards, 10 rush TDs, 133 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Maleek Irons (688 rush yards, seven rush TDs, one TD) have delivered significant production to the Bobcats’ recent offensive strategies.
When these two schools met last year, Akron knocked off Ohio by a field goal 37-34.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Akron Zips at Ohio Bobcats
SU Winner – Ohio, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
The O/U for Akron’s last game was 48. The under cashed in the team’s 21-6 defeat to Bowling Green.
As a team, Akron has averaged 2.0 yards per carry across its last three contests and 2.4 over its last two.
Ohio has averaged 6.9 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 7.3 over its last two.
Ohio has lost 10 fumbles this season while Akron has lost nine.
In its last three matches, Akron is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Ohio’s last game was set at 65. The over cashed in the team’s 52-17 win over Buffalo.
In its last three contests, Ohio is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Ohio has won five of its last six games SU, with a -2-point loss to Miami (OH) on November 7th representing the only defeat over that span.
The Zips offense has created six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Bobcats have accounted for seven such plays.
The Akron defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Ohio has given up 11 such plays.
The Akron offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Ohio has created 28 such runs.
The Zips defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Bobcats have given up 11 such runs.
The Ohio defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times this season. Akron has registered 18 sacks.
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