The Akron Zips (-4) aren’t traveling far to take on their in-conference nemesis Kent State Golden Flashes at Dix Stadium. This afternoon matchup is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action live on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Akron Zips
In this Saturday Mid-American game, Akron is getting picked as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Zips are also receiving -185 moneyline odds while the Golden Flashes are +165. This MAC matchup should provide several decent live betting possibilities, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 54.5 points.
The line opened at 4.5. The game’s total has yet to move after it was initially set at 54.5.
The Zips are 2-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 4.0 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 2-3.
The Golden Flashes have lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-3 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-4.
The Zips are 2-3 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against conference opponents. The Golden Flashes are 1-6 SU overall and are also 0-3 SU in conference play.
The Zips fell to Buffalo 24-6 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Bulls to run for 223 yards on 46 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. K.J. Osborn had a good day for the Bulls in that one with 116 yards on six catches. Offensively, Kato Nelson completed just 12 passes on 29 attempts for 115 yards and one interception. Nelson (37 yards on 14 rush attempts) also mounted the ground attack in the loss. Andre Williams (three receptions, 47 yards) and Nate Stewart (two catches, seven yards) shared the receiving duties.
Kent State most-recently dropped a demoralizing 31-6 game to Miami (OH). The team’s defense let the RedHawks rush for 295 yards on 51 attempts, including three rush TDs. Kenny Young had a productive showing, recording 90 rushing yards and a score on 10 attempts, along with 47 yards on three catches for Miami (OH). For Kent State, Woody Barrett completed 15-of-29 passes for 149 yards and one interception. Barrett (75 yards on 16 rush attempts, one TD) and Justin Rankin (50 yards on 14 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat as Mike Carrigan (four receptions, 51 yards) and Isaiah McKoy (four catches, 31 yards) led all Kent State pass-catchers.
Each team has a strikingly similar (52-48) run-pass ratio on the season. The Zips have run for 111.4 yards/game (including 88.0 per game against Mid-American opponents) and have two touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Golden Flashes are logging 171.4 rushing yards per game (157.7 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
The Zips offensive scheme has tallied 197.0 yards per contest through the air overall (159.0 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing TDs so far. The Golden Flashes have put up 226.0 pass yards per game (245 in the MAC) and have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, Akron seems to have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 146.0 rush yards and 228.4 pass yards per game. The Kent State defense has allowed 303.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 205.0 yards per game on the ground. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.36 to opponents, while the Golden Flashes have given up a whopping 8.85 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 777 passing yards this year, and has connected on 57-of-111 attempts with six passing scores and three interceptions. He’s got a 6.07 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 1.77 over the past two outings.
Woody Barrett has managed to complete 130-of-221 passes for 1,289 yards, five TDs and six INTs for Kent State. His ANY/A sits at a minuscule 3.91 for the year and 4.07 across his last two games.
When these two programs met a year ago, Akron earned the win 24-14.
Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Free Prediction
SU Winner: Kent State, ATS Winner: Kent State, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Kent State defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this season. Akron has recorded just four sacks.
- The Kent State offense has lost seven fumbles in 2018 while the Akron offense has let four get away.
- The Zips offense has tallied three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Golden Flashes have put up six such plays.
- The Akron defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Kent State has given up 11 such plays.
- The Akron offense has created four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Kent State has created 15 such runs.
- The Zips defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Golden Flashes have given up 16 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Kent State’s previous match going into it was 58.5. The under cashed in the 31-6 defeat to Miami (OH).
- In its last three matchups, Kent State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three contests, Akron is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Akron’s previous game was set at 55. The under cashed in the team’s 24-6 loss to Buffalo.
- Akron has produced 2.9 yards per carry across its past three outings and 2.9 over its last two.
- Kent State has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its last two.
