The return of MACtion has been a boon to mid-week college football betting and that will continue when the Akron Zips visit the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Kent State has continued its upward trend after going 7-6 last season, and notching the first bowl win in school history, by starting the year 2-0. The Flashes are big favorites to stay perfect against an Akron team that has lost 19 straight football games.
Let’s take a look at our best college football predictions for Akron vs. Kent State, with kickoff scheduled for Tuesday, November 17 at 8:00 ET.
Akron Zips at Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview
Weather
It’s going to feel like we’re in the dead of winter Tuesday night in Kent, Ohio. Snow is expected during the day, before dissipating before kickoff. Temperatures will hover around the freezing mark. There is also expected to be approximately a 10 mph cross-field wind blowing towards the southeast corner of Dix Stadium. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Akron: Kato Nelson QB (Questionable), Cole Gest RB (Questionable).
Kent State: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Akron’s losing streak hasn’t been pretty, and it hasn’t been any better for its backers, as the Zips are 4-15 ATS over their last 19 games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Akron vs. Kent State.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
One of the big reasons for the Kent State turnaround has been the play of QB Dustin Crum. The senior QB has built off his strong junior year by completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 490 yards with six touchdowns and one interception over the Flashes’ first two wins. Crum has also had the support of a run game that is averaging nearly five yards per carry.
Those first two wins haven’t exactly come against MAC powers, opening with a nice 27-23 comeback win over Eastern Michigan but failing to cover the 4.5-point chalk, and followed that up with a 62-24 trouncing of Bowling Green, cashing as 20.5-point favorites. However, Akron likely won’t put up much of a fight.
As mentioned, the Zips are hoping to avoid a 20th straight loss, and while they managed to keep things tight against Ohio last week, the Flashes may present a bit more of a problem. Akron hasn’t given up a ton of passing yards, but that’s because teams haven’t had to pass on the Zips, as they give up more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
Akron’s offense has also struggled. QB Kato Nelson is still questionable as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Zach Gibson has stepped in for Nelson, throwing for 343 yards with two touchdowns and three picks. They face a Kent State defense that has shut down the passing game and is allowing just 333.5 total yards per game.
Kent State’s balance on offense will give Akron fits and will allow the Golden Flashes to cover this big number on their way to winning the Wagon Wheel.
PREDICTION: Kent State -23.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
The total for this game is on the board at 59.5 and Akron will be the key to the Over/Under. While this game will likely not be as big of a blowout as the Zips’ 58-13 season-opening beatdown handed to them by Western Michigan, it probably won’t be as close as last week’s loss to Ohio.
The big similarity in those games is that the Zips just couldn’t produce points. They are also averaging 345.5 yards per game, which currently ranks 101st in the country. Kent State has had a little more trouble against the run, but not so much that it makes you think this game will be the Zips’ breakout party on offense.
With Akron showing a little more gusto on defense last week, and its inability to consistently get into the end zone, this total seems a little too high.
PREDICTION: Under 59.5 (-110)
First Quarter Spread Pick
Kent State has started games in a flash (sorry) this season. The Golden Flashes have already put up 24 first-quarter points over their first two games this season. That’s more than Akron has scored for the entire year. The Zips did score a touchdown in the first quarter against Western Michigan, but the score at the end of that frame was still 16-7. Take Kent State to cover the first quarter spread.
PREDICTION: Kent State first quarter -7.0 (-116)
Akron vs Kent State Betting Card
- Kent State -23.5 (-110)
- Under 59.5 (-110)
- Kent State first quarter -7.0 (-116)
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