Kent State vs. Akron Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds
The Kent State Golden Flashes will battle the Akron Zips in a matchup of one-win teams. Can Kent State get their first victory in FBS play this year? Joey Ruiz answers with his Kent State vs. Akron prediction.
Joey Ruiz - November 1, 2023, 3:15 PM EDT
5 minKent State vs. Akron Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, Latest Odds
This game tonight is what MACtion is all about. Two of the worst teams in the conference, battling it out on a Wednesday night. Who has the edge in tonight’s MACtion showdown? Let’s break it down.
Kent State vs. Akron Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 1, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPNU
Kent State vs. Akron Prediction
Not only are these teams two of the worst in the MAC, but these are probably the worst two teams in the nation to this point. Both teams enter this match up with a record of 1-7, with Kent State’s only win coming over FCS, Central, Connecticut State, and Akron‘s only win coming over FCS Morgan State, in a game that they should have lost as they returned a fumble for a touchdown in the final minutes to notch their only win of the year which was an improbable one at that.
Akron and Kent State are combined 0-14 against FBS teams this season and popular website, Team Rankings, has both of these teams power rated as the 132nd and 133 ranked teams in the country. Akron is probably the more talented team when compared to Kent State, as they actually had a formidable quarterback in DJ Irons. He tore his ACL a month ago, and it has been a huge drop off for Akron at the quarterback position since then. Since Irons went down with his knee injury, Akron has gone 0-3 with losses to Northern Illinois (55-14), Central Michigan (17-10), and to Bowling Green (41-14).
They have averaged just under 13 points per game since Irons went down and have converted just 30% of their 3rd downs in that time so they have been unable to sustain long drives. They have also committed seven turnovers during this three game stretch while only forcing two on defense, both of which came against CMU, so they have also been losing the turnover battle by a wide margin. When you can’t convert third downs, put the ball in the end zone, turn the ball over on offense, and don’t force many turnovers on defense, it is extremely hard to win football games.
Akron also finds themselves in a peculiar position tonight as a betting favorite. They have only been betting favorites twice this season, which came against Morgan State and Buffalo. As 25-point favorites against Morgan State, they really should have lost straight up as they barely escaped with a three point win and then lost in overtime straight up to Buffalo 13 to 10 as three point betting favorites at home. Both of these games Akron had their starting quarterback in DJ Irons who is actually a pretty solid player when compared to his peers in the MAC, but now they find themselves without Irons, and with very below average play at the quarterback position.
Kent state has had a miserable season, and they have really struggled to move the ball, but this is a game where I would probably bet on the underdog either way, considering how bad both teams are on each side of the ball. Kent State has also played the much tougher schedule as they have already had games against Arkansas, UCF, Fresno State, and Ohio. Kent State’s defense has also shown a bit of a pulse over the last few weeks in MAC play, as they have only allowed over 30 points in a single game so far.
Kent State’s offense is dreadful, but I do think they will be able to have a bit more success against Akron’s weak defense, and I do rate Kent State as having the better defense in this matchup. With that being said, I am rolling with Kent State +4.5 at -111 for 1.5 units as one of my most confident college football plays of the day for tonight’s action.
Kent State vs. Akron Pick
Pick: Kent State +4.5 -111 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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