Kent State vs Akron Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Golden Opporunity For Zips

Two of the Mid-American Conference's doormats will look for their first league win when the Akron Zips host the Kent State Golden Flashes tonight.

Kent State has lost five straight while Akron has dropped six in a row. Yet someone must win this game, and the college football odds give the edge to the Golden Flashes. 

Neither team has had much to brag about and both have struggled in similar ways throughout the season. I’ll break down the matchup in my free college football picks for Kent State vs. Akron on November 1. 

Kent State vs Akron best odds

Kent State vs Akron picks and predictions

When teams have records like these two — neither Kent State nor Akron has a win over an FBS opponent so far this season — it’s easy to dismiss them as simply being bad at everything. But no matter what level of football you’re evaluating, teams have strengths and weaknesses. Even if there are no absolute strengths, there will be some areas in which teams perform higher (or lower) than their overall level of play.

In the case of the Zips and the Golden Flashes, both teams are reasonable on the defensive side of the ball. Akron is allowing 29.4 points per game, while Kent State gives up 33 on average. Are those numbers good? No, but they resemble something you’d expect to see in the range of FBS football. The Golden Flashes are fairly effective against the pass, holding opponents to a 58.7% completion percentage: the Zips are even better, ranking in the Top 50 in the country in opposing quarterback rating.

In other words, those defenses look like they at least show up. That’s not something you can say for the offenses on either side of this matchup.

Let’s start with Kent State, which ranks dead last in FBS in team scoring at just 12.5 points per game. The Golden Flashes are also 132nd in yards per play (4.1), 130th in quarterback rating (104.3), and 125th in yards per rushing attempt (3.0). Starting QB Michael Alaimo has just two touchdown passes against four interceptions, and none of the team’s top three runners are averaging even four yards per carry.

If you think things must be better on Akron’s side you’d be right — but only by default. The Zips aren’t exactly dynamic on offense, averaging 15.4 ppg (131st). They’re last in yards per competition (8.7), and 131st in overall quarterback rating (104.2). Akron has tried three different QBs with little success, as they’ve combined to throw twice as many picks (12) as touchdowns (six). 

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: this is going to be an ugly game to watch. These defenses are both below average, but it’s unclear if either side has any weapon that will feast on the matchup — especially when you consider that both teams have already seen some poor defensive units this year. 

As a result, sportsbooks have set a low total of 37.5. I’m not convinced this is nearly low enough for these two inept offenses. Both the Zips and the Golden Flashes have played to totals of 30 or less twice in their last four games. Now they face off in what could be one of the worst offensive displays in college football this year. I’m taking the Under.

My best bet: Under 37.5 (-105 at FanDuel)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

Kent State vs Akron same-game parlay

Under 37.5

Akron ML

Lingard anytime TD

+441 at FanDuel

I’ll start by pairing Akron moneyline with my best bet. The Zips are the superior defensive team, and in a game with two inept offenses, Akron should have more opportunities against a Golden Flashes unit that has been allowing teams to run and pass effectively for most of the season.

If someone has to score on Akron, Lorenzo Lingard is a good bet. The senior RB has two scores this year, gets the lion’s share of the carries, and is averaging five yards per carry on the season. He’s the best offensive player in the game, and will likely grind out a score for the Zips.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Kent State vs Akron spread and Over/Under analysis

Akron opened as a four-point favorite in Wednesday night’s game. That line has stretched somewhat, with the consensus spread now Akron -4.5. While most sites have gone to -110 on both sides at that number, some offer Akron as short as -102, and you can also find lines of four points (or even 3.5) at some books.

While neither team has been great against the spread this year, both have performed better in that regard than straight up. Akron has gone 3-5 ATS on the season, while Kent State is 2-6 ATS in 2023. 

The total on this game opened at 39 points. However, that number has come down quickly, with the consensus Over/Under now sitting at just 37.5. Many books are still sticking at a flat 38, which means there are plenty of options out there — particularly for Under bettors. You can get -105 on the Under at 37.5, or -109 on the Under at 38.

Both of those options are worth considering. My best bet was the Under at 37.5, as I think this number is still too high for a game between two of the worst offenses in college football. With the possible exception of Lingard, there aren’t even weapons to worry about for either defense and certainly not enough talent on either offense to run up the score.

Kent State vs Akron betting trend to know

The Under is 5-1 in the last six games between Kent State and Akron. Find more college football betting trends for Kent State vs Akron.

Kent State vs Akron game info

Kent State vs Akron latest injuries

Kent State vs Akron weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic