Akron vs. Miami (OH) Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
Akron travels to Miami Ohio tonight to face the Redhawks as big underdogs but they do have a bit of momentum after their second half comeback against Kent State last week. In Akron's midweek matchup against the Golden Flashes last week, they got in a huge hole as they were down 27-10 late in the third quarter but they were able to put together a miraculous comeback as they ended up winning the game 31-27 behind a very solid performance from Akron's quarterback, Jeff Undercuffler.
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 8, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch:Â ESPNU
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Odds
- Spread: Akron +17 (-106), Miami (OH) -17 (-108)
- Total Odds: O 38 (-108), U 38 (-107)
- Moneyline Odds: Akron (+165), Miami (OH) (-850)
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Prediction
Undercuffler threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions as this was his best game of the season by far. Akron was a favorite against Kent State and failed to cover the spread by a half point but the Zips have actually done a pretty good job at keeping games close as a road underdog so far this season, which is the spot they find themselves in tonight.
In Week 1 they went into Temple as 9.5-point dogs and were leading 21-10 at the half and ended up losing 24-21 but covered the spread easily. Then Akron went into Kentucky and actually covered the first half spread by a hook as they only allowed 14 points as they trailed 14-0 at the break.
The Zips then had another road matchup against a Power 5 team as they went into Indiana as 16.5 point dogs and were tied at the half and ended up losing in quadruple overtime 29-27 in a thriller but again, the Zips covered easily.
Now fast forward into conference play with now quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who became the starter after DJ Irons went down with an injury, they went into Central Michigan and were again tied at the half as 11 point underdogs, covering the first half spread easily. They had one more road conference game as an underdog as they went into Bowling Green as 7.5 point dogs and once again would have covered the first half spread but Undercuffler fumbled with 19 seconds left in the first half to give Bowling Green an easy shot at a field goal as they covered on the half's final play.
So to recap, Akron is 4-1 ATS on First Half spreads as a road underdog including covers against two Power 5 teams and the one loss came on the last play of the half, which would have been a terrible beat as Akron had the ball with 19 seconds left then fumbled. Akron is a bottom ten team in the FBS this season. No one is disputing that but this team has played up to their competition all season and I think they will start fairly fast tonight as I think they will build off of their second half momentum from last weeks win against Kent State.
Akron is tasked with facing Miami (OH) tonight who has aspirations of a MAC title but they lost their starting quarterback, Brett Gabbert, to injury so Aveon Smith will be the signal caller for this game and for the rest of the season. Smith is nowhere near the pocket passer that Gabbert is and the RedHawks offense nearly turns into a triple option team with Smith at the helm. Last week against Ohio, Miami (OH) and Smith only attempted 11 total passes as they ran the ball 40 total times in a 30-16 win.
Miami (OH) did have a lot of success on the ground, but they also got off to a fairly slow start in that game as they were down 9-0 in the first quarter and then led 13-9 at the break. With a run first team like Miami (OH) is now, the clock will be moving for most of the half which is also good when you have a double digit first half dog like Akron is tonight.
Miami (OH) is 129th in the nation in seconds per play (30.0) as they are one of the slower teams in the country. If Akron can get just a few 1H stops and take care of the ball on offense, I actually think they have a shot to win this game straight up. With that being said, I am rolling with Akron 1H +10.5 at -115 for 1.5U as my most confident college football play of the day for tonight's action as I think the Zips keep this game somewhat close in the opening half. I also like 1H +9.5/10 as well but prefer 10/10.5 if you can get it as 10 is a fairly key number.
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Pick
1.5U Akron 1H +10.5 -115 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Win a $50 Gift Card on College Football Saturday
Think you know what's going to happen in various games on College Football Saturday this week? Answer the pick questions below for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
College Football Odds
Article Author
Joey has spent the last 6+ years betting on sports with a focus on basketball and baseball. Basketball is his main focus, and not many people know more about mid-major basketball than him. Whether you need advice on a Saturday night primetime game or a Tuesday night back-alley SWAC/MEAC game, Joey is your man.