In a battle of two schools that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Terry Bowden and the Akron Zips are getting 4.5 points when they take on the Northern Illinois Huskies to Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium. This key Thursday showdown kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET and spectators can view the action live on CBS Sports Network. These two conference foes did not get a chance to face one another a year ago.
Betting Preview: Akron Zips vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
Akron is the home underdog in this MAC game and is currently getting 4.5 points. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, bettors would currently need to spend $200 in order to win $100 back on the Huskies (-200). The Zips are getting +170 moneyline odds. If one side can find paydirt early it’ll produce a solid betting scenario in-game. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 38.5 points.
The sharp action has been siding with the Zips, as the opening line was 6. The total has not changed after it was set initially at 38.5.
The Huskies have gained 3.8 units so far and are 4-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 1-7.
The Zips have lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-5.
The Huskies have gone 5-3 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against MAC opponents. The Zips are 4-3 SU overall and 2-2 SU in conference play.
The Huskies just recorded a 7-6 victory over BYU last week. The passing game left much to be desired as Marcus Childers completed only 10 passes on 21 attempts for 115 yards. Jauan Wesley (four receptions, 70 yards) and Spencer Tears (three catches, 34 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
The Akron Zips just earned a 17-10 win over Central Michigan. The team’s defense allowed the Chippewas to run for 131 yards on 49 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Romello Ross was a bright spot in the loss for Central Michigan, recording 75 rushing yards on 22 attempts. For Akron, Kato Nelson completed 10-of-27 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. Van Edwards, Jr. (96 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Nelson (23 yards on 10 carries) spearheaded the running attack while Andre Williams (five receptions, 50 yards) and Nate Stewart (two catches, 62 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Northern Illinois has run the ball on 58.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Akron has a rush percentage of 53.2 percent. The Huskies have produced 151.3 rush yards per game (including 224.3 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have nine scores on the ground this year. The Zips are putting up 122.0 rush yards per game (118.3 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
The Huskies offense has averaged 133.0 yards through the air overall (128.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The Zips have recorded 193.3 pass yards per contest (172 in the MAC) and have nine total pass scores.
Northern Illinois has allowed opponents to run for an average of 112.4 yards and throw for 232.8 yards per game. The Akron D has allowed 215.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 147.0 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Huskies have given up an ANY/A of 5.34 to opposing QBs, while the Zips are allowing an ANY/A of 5.10.
Offensively, Childers is up to 919 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 55 percent of his 202 attempts with eight scores through the air and five interceptions. He has a 3.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.98 over the last two games.
In the other huddle, Kato Nelson has connected on 86-of-173 passes for 1,129 yards, eight TDs and six INTs. Nelson’s ANY/A stands at 5.03 for the year and 4.66 across his last two outings.
Northern Illinois Huskies at Akron Zips Free Prediction
SU Winner: Northern Illinois, ATS Winner: Northern Illinois, O/U: Over
