The Miami (Oh) RedHawks (+4) are set to take on their conference foe Akron Zips (-4) at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium. The opening kickoff for this matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN+ has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Akron Zips vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
Miami (OH) is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 4 points in this MAC game. The RedHawks are also receiving +155 moneyline odds while the Zips are -175. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 47 points, and if one side can catch a lucky break in the early stages, it’ll likely create a solid live betting opportunity.
Sharp bettors are siding with both the RedHawks and the under. This line originally opened at -5 and the O/U was initially 48.5.
The RedHawks are 2-3 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 3.4 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 3-2.
The Zips have lost 1.0 unit this season. The team is 2-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-2.
The RedHawks are 1-4 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against MAC opponents. The Zips are 2-1 SU overall and 0-0 SU in conference play.
The RedHawks dropped one to Western Michigan 40-39 in a matchup where the defense allowed the Broncos to pass for 439 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 123 yards. D’Wayne Eskridge had a good day for the opposition in that one with 141 yards on seven catches. Offensively, Gus Ragland completed 22-of-32 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Alonzo Smith (20 rushing yards on 13 attempts) spearheaded the running attack in the loss. Jack Sorenson (nine receptions, 156 yards) and Dominique Robinson (four catches, 59 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties.
Akron just fell 26-13 to Iowa State back in Week 4. The team’s defense allowed the Cyclones to rush for 132 yards on 35 attempts, along with one rushing TD. David Montgomery put up a solid outing in the win for Iowa State, posting 107 rushing yards and a score on 23 attempts. For Akron, Kato Nelson completed 12-of-28 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Nelson (56 yards on 15 rush attempts) and Van Edwards, Jr. (23 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat as Nate Stewart (four receptions, 52 yards) and Jonah Morris (three catches, 37 yards) led all Akron pass-catchers.
Miami (OH) has run the ball on 49.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Akron has an overall rush percentage of 54.9 percent. The RedHawks have rushed for 116.2 yards/game (including 172.0 per game versus Mid-American opponents) and have five touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Zips are averaging 127.0 rush yards per game and have two total rushing TDs.
It seems like the RedHawks should hold an advantage in the trenches. Their offensive line has allowed just 21 sacks while the D-line registered 18 sacks. The Zips, on the other hand, have given up 38 sacks and their defense has logged only 21 sacks.
The RedHawks offense has averaged 203.4 yards through the air overall (206.5 per game against conference opposition) and has eight passing scores so far. The Zips have put up 222.3 pass yards per game and have six total pass TDs.
Miami (OH) has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 137.0 yards and pass for 246.6 yards per game. The Akron defense has allowed 238.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 98.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.03 to opponents, while the RedHawks have given up a 7.89 ANY/A.
Nelson has managed to complete 28-of-54 passes for 385 yards, four TDs and two INTs for Akron. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 5.92 for the season and 7.02 across his past two games. In the other huddle, Ragland is up to 898 passing yards this year, and has completed 80-of-139 attempts with six passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Ragland’s got a 6.29 ANY/A for the year, although that number sits at 10.56 over the last two outings.
These two squads faced off last year with the final result being a 24-14 win for Miami (OH).
Miami (OH) RedHawks at Akron Zips NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Akron, ATS Winner: Akron, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
Miami (OH) was getting 3 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 53. The over cashed and Miami (OH) covered in the 40-39 defeat to Western Michigan.
As a team, Miami (OH) has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last two contests.
Akron has averaged 2.7 YPC over its last two.
Both teams have lost two fumbles this season.
In its last three contests, Miami (OH) is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
Akron was favored by 20 points in its previous match and the Over/Under was set at 47.5. The under cashed and Akron did not cover in the 26-13 loss to Iowa State.
In its last three matchups, Akron is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The RedHawks offense has tallied two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Zips have put up three such plays.
Both defenses have allowed one pass play of 40+ yards. The Miami (OH) defense has given up eight pass plays of 30+ yards while Akron has permitted one such plays.
The Miami (OH) offense has created five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Akron has created four such run.
Both defenses have allowed one rushing play of 20+ yards. The RedHawks have given up 28 running plays of 10+ yards while the Zips have given up 13 such plays.
The Miami (OH) defense has 11 sacks on the year while Akron has just four.
