In a display of two schools that like to deploy their running games, Coach Terry Bowden and the Akron Zips (+12) are ready to face off against the Buffalo Bulls (-12) at UB Stadium. Interested parties can catch the action live on CBS Sports Network and this important MAC game gets underway at 12:00 p.m. ET. When the two programs met last year, Akron earned the win 21-20.
Akron Zips at Buffalo Bulls Betting Preview
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Buffalo is tabbed as the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 12 points. The Zips are also receiving +340 moneyline odds while the Bulls are -475. Should one side can create a bunch of points early, it will likely result in a worthy live betting scenario.
The game’s line opened at -9, but early action has been slanting toward the Bulls.
The Zips have lost 3.0 units so far and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-2. The Bulls are up 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 5-0.
The Zips have gone 2-2 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against MAC opponents. The Bulls are 5-1 SU overall and 2-0 SU in conference play.
The Zips dropped one to Miami (OH) 41-17 in a thumping where the passing attack left much to be desired as Kato Nelson completed just 19 passes on 35 attempts for 203 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Nelson (30 rushing yards on 14 attempts) also led the running attack. Andre Williams (seven receptions, 66 yards) and Kwadarrius Smith (four catches, 55 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Buffalo just earned a 34-24 win over Central Michigan. The defensive unit allowed the Chippewas to rush for 168 yards on 35 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Tommy Lazzaro was a bright spot in the defeat for Central Michigan, recording 102 rushing yards on 18 attempts. For Buffalo, Tyree Jackson completed 10-of-20 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jaret Patterson (121 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) and Kevin Marks (167 yards on 18 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game as K.J. Osborn (four receptions, 80 yards) and Tyler Mabry (three catches, 33 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Akron has run the ball on 52.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Buffalo has a rush percentage of 57.6 percent. The Zips have produced 109 rush yards per game and have two scores on the ground this year. The Bulls are averaging 175 rushing yards per game (230 in conference) and have 12 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Bulls should hold an edge when it comes to applying pressure, since their offensive line has yielded only two sacks while the D-line has logged 14 sacks. The Zips offensive line has given up eight sacks and their defense has forced only four sacks.
The Zips offense has tallied 218 yards/game in the air overall and has seven passing TDs so far. The Bulls have put up 224 pass yards per outing (226.0 in the MAC) and have 17 total pass scores.
Akron has let opponents rush for an average of 126 yards and throw for 233 yards per game. The Buffalo D has allowed 182.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 170.2 yards per game on the ground. The Bulls are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.40 to opponents, while the Zips have allowed a 5.19 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 712 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 58 percent of his 89 attempts with six passing scores and four interceptions. Nelson has a 6.77 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.46 over the last two games.
We expect Nelson to spread the ball around early and often in this one. Andre Williams (0 receiving yards and two touchdowns), Nate Stewart (87 yards, one TD) and Kato Nelson (0 yards) have all been heavily involved recently.
Tyree Jackson has managed to complete 88-of-146 passes for 1,179 yards, 16 TDs and four INTs for Buffalo. His ANY/A stands at 8.85 for the season and 5.76 across his past two outings.
We’re looking for Bulls to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with K.J. Osborn (408 receiving yards, five receiving TDs), Kevin Marks (449 rush yards, six rush TDs) and Jaret Patterson (296 rush yards, four rush TDs) have brought significant production to the Buffalo offense.
RELATED: Week 7 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Prediction: Akron Zips at Buffalo Bulls
SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Buffalo defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 14 times this year. Akron has recorded just four sacks.
Buffalo has lost one fumble in 2018 while the Akron offense has lost four.
The Zips offense has registered three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulls have put up seven such plays.
The Akron defense has allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards, while Buffalo has given up four such plays.
The Akron offense has created four rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Buffalo has created seven such runs.
The Zips defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Bulls have given up five such runs.
Buffalo was getting 7 points in its previous outing and the Over/Under was set at 52. The over cashed and Buffalo covered in the 34-24 victory over Central Michigan.
Over its last three games, Buffalo is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Over its last three matchups, Akron is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Akron was favored by 5 points in its last game and the Over/Under going into it was 47. The over cashed and Akron failed to cover in the 41-17 loss to Miami (OH).
As a team, Akron has averaged 2.49473684210526 yards per carry across its last three contests and 2.5 over its last two.
Buffalo has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 5.0 over its past two.
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