The Akron Zips (-4) aren’t traveling far to face their conference foe Kent State Golden Flashes at Dix Stadium. This afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action on ESPN+.
Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Akron is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Zips are also receiving -185 moneyline odds while the Golden Flashes are +165. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points. There should be some good in-game betting opportunities while this showdown is underway.
The line opened at 4.5. The game’s total has yet to change after it was set initially at 54.5.
The Zips have lost 4.0 units so far and are 2-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 2-3. The Golden Flashes have lost 3.0 units this season. The team is 4-3 ATS and owns an O/U record of 3-4.
The Zips are 2-3 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against conference opponents. The Golden Flashes are 1-6 SU overall and are also 0-3 SU in conference play.
The Zips are most-recently on the rebound after a 24-6 defeat to Buffalo last week. Kato Nelson completed only 12 passes on 29 attempts for 115 yards and one interception. Nelson (37 rushing yards on 14 attempts) also led the running attack. Andre Williams (three receptions, 47 yards) and Nate Stewart (two catches, seven yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, Miami (OH) knocked off this Kent State crew by a score of 31-6. Woody Barrett completed 15-of-29 passes for 149 yards and one interception. Barrett (75 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one TD) and Justin Rankin (50 yards on 14 carries) handled the running game while Mike Carrigan (four receptions, 51 yards) and Isaiah McKoy (four catches, 31 yards) led all Kent State pass-catchers in the loss.
Each team has a strikingly similar (52-48) run-pass ratio on the season. The Zips have produced 111 rush yards per game (including 88 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have two scores on the ground this year. The Golden Flashes are logging 171 rush yards per game (158 in conference) and have 11 total rushing TDs.
The Zips offense has tallied 197 yards/contest in the air overall (159 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Golden Flashes have recorded 226 pass yards per game (244.7 in the MAC) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Akron appears to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 146 rush yards and 228 pass yards per game. The Kent State defense has given up 303.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 205.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.36 to opposing QBs, while the Golden Flashes have given up a staggering 8.85 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 777 passing yards this season, and has connected on 51 percent of his 111 attempts with six scores through the air and three interceptions. Nelson’s got a 6.07 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 1.77 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Woody Barrett has connected on 130-of-221 passes for 1,289 yards, five TDs and six INTs. Barrett’s ANY/A sits at a very poor 3.91 for the season and 4.07 over his last two games.
When these two schools faced one another last year, Akron earned the win 24-14.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Akron Zips at Kent State Golden Flashes
SU Winner – Kent State, ATS Winner – Kent State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Over/Under for Akron’s last game was set at 55. The under cashed in the team’s 24-6 loss to Buffalo.
As a team, Akron has produced 2.9 yards per carry across its past three games and 2.9 over its last two.
Kent State has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
The Kent State offense has lost seven fumbles this season while Akron has lost four.
Over its last three matchups, Akron is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Kent State’s last game was set at 58.5. The under cashed in the 31-6 defeat to Miami (OH).
Over its last three matches, Kent State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Zips offense has registered three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Golden Flashes have accounted for six such plays.
The Akron defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Kent State has given up 11 such plays.
The Akron offense has created four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Kent State has created 15 such runs.
The Zips defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Golden Flashes have given up 16 such runs.
The Kent State D has produced 15 sacks on the year while Akron has just four.
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