In a battle of two schools that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Zips of Akron (-6) are preparing to host their conference counterpart Central Michigan Chippewas at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium. This daytime game is scheduled to get going at 12:00 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Akron Zips
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Akron is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 6 points. The Chippewas are also receiving +185 moneyline odds while the Zips are -230. Some good live betting possibilities might be unveiled during the showdown, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points.
This game’s O/U has yet to move after being initially posted at 45.5. Having said that, the line opened at -7 so early action has shifted to the Chippewas.
The Chippewas are down 5.8 units so far in 2018 and 4-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a decent under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 3-5.
The Zips have lost 3.0 units this season. The team is 2-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-4.
The Chippewas have gone 1-7 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against MAC opponents. The Zips are 3-3 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Chippewas fell to Western Michigan 35-10 in a blowout where their defense allowed the Broncos to eat up the clock by running for 305 yards on 55 rush attempts, including five rush TDs. Offensively, Tommy Lazzaro completed just nine passes on 24 attempts for 104 yards and two interceptions. Lazzaro (38 rushing yards on 17 attempts) also mounted the ground attack and was complemented by Romello Ross (69 yards on 11 carries, one TD). Julian Hicks (three receptions, 57 yards) and Brandon Childress (two catches, 20 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Akron just earned a 24-23 win over Kent State. Kato Nelson completed 19-of-35 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Nelson (90 yards on 17 rush attempts, one TD) and Van Edwards, Jr. (39 yards on 13 carries) handled the running game as Andre Williams (four receptions, 72 yards, one TD) and Jonah Morris (three catches, 36 yards) led all Akron pass-catchers in the win.
Central Michigan has run the ball on 57.3 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 59.9 percent across possessions in conference play. Akron has a rush percentage of 52.4 percent, and has carried the ball 50.0 percent of the time against MAC opponents. The Chippewas have produced 139.9 rush yards per game (including 185.0 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have six scores on the ground this year. The Zips are putting up 116.7 rushing yards per game (106.3 in conference) and have four total rush TDs.
The Chippewas offense has logged 144.6 yards/contest through the air overall (144.8 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Zips have put up 200.7 pass yards per game (179 against MAC foes) and also have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Central Michigan appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 211.8 yards and pass for 140.6 yards per game. The Akron defense has allowed 223.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 149.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.97 to opponents, while the Zips have given up a 5.57 ANY/A.
Nelson has completed 83-of-152 passes for 1,084 yards, eight TDs and six INTs. Nelson’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 5.53 for the year and 3.19 over his last two outings. In the other locker room, Lazzaro is up to 584 passing yards on the year, and has completed 57-of-119 attempts with four passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Lazzaro has a 1.27 ANY/A, including 2.65 over the last two outings.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to face one another in 2017.
Central Michigan Chippewas at Akron Zips Free Pick
SU Winner: Central Michigan, ATS Winner: Central Michigan, O/U: Over
