Akron at Central Michigan Expert College Football Picks Against the Spread 9/14/2019

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Kelly/Shorts Stadium

Kato Nelson and the Akron Zips go to Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday where they'll take on the Central Michigan Chippewas. Akron opens this contest as 4.5-point dogs. The O/U has been set at 47.5. The Zips are 0-2-0 ATS and 1-1-0 when betting on the total. The Chippewas are 2-0-0 when wagering on the over/under and 1-1-0 against the spread.

Key Akron Zips Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Central Michigan Chippewas Injuries

09/08/19 TE Joel Wilson Leg is questionable Saturday vs Akron
09/06/19 QB George Pearson Leg is out for season
09/06/19 OL Romello Tarver Knee is out for season
09/06/19 TE Javon Gantt Knee is out for season
07/25/19 WR Brandon Childress Knee is out for season

In the last game they played, the Akron Zips played the UAB Blazers and ended up taking the loss by a score of 31-20. Leading the way at QB for the Zips was Kato Nelson who went 25/44 with 359 yards passing and tossed 2 TD's. He walked away from this game with no interceptions. Kato Nelson paced the team on the ground for the game. He broke a long run for 13 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He ran for 31 yards by way of 13 carries which gave him an average of 2.4 yards per carry. Dustin Burkhart led the team in receiving yardage with a tally of 217 yards on 8 catches. He had an average of 27.1 yards per reception for the game. The Akron Zips ran the ball 29 times and added 34 yards earning them an average of 1.2 yards per run. On the day, they ran 73 plays which gave them a total of 393 yards. In the game, the Zips totaled 16 first downs and they had 6 infractions for 56 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. When it comes to their defensive performance, Akron allowed 15 catches on 24 attempts totaling 319 yards, and a completion percentage of 62.5%. In the game, they gave up 402 yards and earned 1 turnover. On the ground, the Zips allowed 83 yards on 34 carries which gave them an average of 2.4 yards per attempt allowed.

The Zips come into this matchup with a record of 0-2 for this season. For total yards, they currently sit at 10th in the Mid-American Conference and 110th in the nation with 585 yards. In terms of scoring, they are one of the worst in the country with an average of 11.5 points per contest, which has them at 125th in the nation. As a team, they have an average of 49 yards on the ground per game which is 12th in the conference. The Zips have one of the worst defenses in the nation, allowing 36.5 points per game ranking them 10th in the Mid-American Conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Zips have allowed 487 yards. Teams are completing 61.2% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 10.5 yards per try. In regard to rushing yards, Akron is allowing 145 yards per contest putting them 7th in the conference and 76th in Division 1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.6 yards per rush putting them 2nd in the MAC and 58th in the country overall. Overall, they have allowed 290 yards rushing through 2 games.

Related: Gambling 101 Series on How Odds are Calculated - Watch Tony George Explain

In their last game, the Central Michigan Chippewas took on the Wisconsin Badgers and were on the losing end of this game by a score of 61-0. Leading the way at QB for the Bears was Quinten Dormady who went 5/12 with 36 yards through the air but wasn't able to throw a ball for a TD. He gave away 1 interception during the game. Tommy Lazzaro paced the team on the ground in the game. His longest run of the day went for 4 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He ran for 11 yards via 4 carries which meant he was running for 2.8 yards per carry. Kalil Pimpleton led the team in receiving yardage with a total of 18 yards on 3 catches. He had an average of 6.0 yards per reception in the game. The Central Michigan Chippewas ran the ball 20 times and racked up 32 yards giving them an average of 1.6 yards per run. For the game, they ran 44 plays which added up to 75 yards. On the day, the Chippewas earned a total of 3 first downs and they totaled 6 infractions for 39 yards which is telling of how their week of practice went. When it comes to their defensive performance, Central Michigan gave up 31 catches on 39 throws for a total of 400 yards, and a completion percentage of 79.5%. In the running game, the Chippewas gave up 199 yards on 43 attempts giving the other team an average of 4.6 yards per rushing attempt allowed. For the game, they gave up a total of 599 yards and earned 1 turnover.

Related: Get college football tips & picks on all of today's games

The Chippewas come into this matchup with a record of 1-1. In discussing the offensive production, the Chippewas leave a lot to be desired in terms of scoring in the nation. Central Michigan hasn't done much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 138 rushing yards per contest, putting them 88th in D-1. As a team, they have a total of 276 rushing yards through 2 games, so they'll need to look to improve on these numbers if they want to compete with the better teams in the nation. The Chippewas average 302 yards per contest overall ranking them 114th in college football and 9th in the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas are giving up 41 points per contest which puts them at 12th in the Mid-American Conference and 123rd in the nation. Their passing defense is one of the middle of the road units in the nation. They are conceding 299.5 passing yards per game. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Chippewas are ranked 11th in the MAC. When talking about points given up, they have given up 82 points in total. When talking about yards on the ground, they are conceding 122 yards per game ranking them 54th in the nation and 3rd in the MAC. For this year, they have given up 244 yards on the ground and 5 rushing TDs.

Who will win tonight's Zips/Chippewas college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Zips +4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn