.jpg "Tuesday-Night-CFB-(ESPN2)")
All the Akron Zips need to do is beat the Kent State Golden Flashes in order to win the MAC East and earn a spot in the MAC Championship Game. Akron was not good in non-conference play, but is 5-2 in conference with a win over Ohio and in pole position to claim the division. This game will be fierce though as these schools are only 10 miles apart. That has led to some bad blood over the years. These two teams square off for the Wagon Wheel and the Zips have claimed it the last two years.
Watch this regular season Week 13 matchup live on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at 7 p.m. ET at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio. This game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kent State +15
Akron -15
Odds Analysis
Only a handful of teams have been better than Akron has against the number this season. The Zips may be 6-5 SU, but they are 8-3 ATS and have covered seven of their last eight games after being blown out by Penn State and Iowa State at the start of the year. Under has been a great bet in Akron games all season long too. It has cashed in nine of 11 games.
It’s been a year to forget for the Golden Flashes. Kent State is 2-9 SU and its lone win over an FBS opponent came against Miami of Ohio. The Golden Flashes have been completely inept on the offensive end and haven’t scored more than 23 points in any games against an FBS opponent. In recent weeks, the defense has collapsed too, allowing 40 points or more in four straight. That has led to four straight overs cashing and four straight covers for Kent State’s opponent.
Key Stat
The Golden Flashes have been completely unable to move the ball through the air this season. Some of that is because quarterback Nick Holley was lost for the year with a torn ACL in the third game, but Kent State had trouble moving the ball through the air even before that.
Kent State is one of the worst passing teams in the nation, averaging just 126.1 yards per game through the air. Holley’s replacement, George Ballas, has not been able to accomplish much despite being a junior with previous starting experience. Ballas is completing less than 50 percent of his passes on the year and is averaging just 6.4 yards per pass.
Those numbers are pretty bad, but when you factor in his interception totals, things get even worse. Bollas has thrown 10 interceptions compared to just four touchdowns this season. Those four touchdowns came in just two games too, the win over Miami of Ohio, and last week’s game against Central Michigan.
Player to Watch
Kato Nelson is playing well beyond his age as the starting quarterback at Akron. Nelson made just his second start last week against Ohio in lieu of the suspended Thomas Woodson and played out of his mind to help the Zips pull off the upset.
Nelson is just a freshman, but is showing talent that isn’t common in a quarterback his age. He is seeing the field well and although he is still prone to win too much, he is hanging around enough in the pocket to make plays. He burned Ohio’s defense for four touchdown last week and is looking for more this week against Kent State.
Free ATS Pick
The only reason this spread is so close is because this is a rivalry game. Kent State has seemingly given up on the season and Paul Haynes is already polishing up his resume for his next job. Akron has everything to play for and will show it in a resounding win over its rival on Tuesday night.
College Football Odds: Akron 38, Kent State 13
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
