Akron Zips vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 9/16/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Akron Zips vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023

Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, KY

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-25)

Total/Over-Under: 51.5

Kroger Field is the site where the Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) will compete against the Akron Zips (1-1) on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Kentucky opens as 25-point favorites. The betting total is set at 51.5.

The Akron Zips head into this game 1-1 for this season. In their last contest, the Zips took on the Morgan State Bears and walked away with a win by a score of 24-21. Jeff Undercuffler connected on 18/25 with 209 yards passing and 1 TD. He had a quarterback rating of 131.4 and walked away from the game with 3 picks. Drake Anderson was the leader on the ground for the Zips with 6 totes for 27 yards (4.5 yards per carry). The Akron Zips ran the rock 25 different times and had 8 yards, earning them an average of 0.3 yds per attempt. Overall, they ran 59 plays which gave them 270 yds. Akron allowed 15 pass completions on 33 tries for 152 yds, and a completion percentage of 45.5%. When it came to stopping the run, the Zips conceded 79 yds on 39 tries, which averages out to 2.0 yds per run surrendered.

The Zips have earned 549 yards in total this year. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Akron has totaled 3 passing touchdowns and 1 touchdown on the ground. They have turned the football over 6 times. Akron has tallied 30 1st downs, and they have committed 18 penalties for 152 yards. Offensively they average 41.0 yards via the ground game which ranks them 130th in the country. When it comes to putting points on the board, the Akron Zips are averaging 22.5 points per game.

The Zips are ranked 66th in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 22.5 PPG. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 2.1 yards per running attempt and 70.0 rushing yards per contest on the season. During the season, they have allowed 140 rushing yards through 2 games. Regarding passing yards, the Zips are allowing 444 yds which has them ranked 72nd in the country. They have allowed 222.0 yards per game via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 52.4%. Over the course of this year, they have given up 292.0 yards/game ranking them 39th in Division 1. They have surrendered 5 touchdowns through the air in addition to 1 touchdown running the ball.

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The Wildcats step onto the field holding a record of 2-0 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Wildcats took home the win by a final score of 28-17 against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Devin Leary (4 TDs) ended the game with 299 yds on 24/38 passing while his quarterback rate was 158.7. He tossed 1 interception and his Y/A was 7.9. Re'Mahn Davis carried the football 12 times for 52 yards, finishing the contest with 4.3 yards per attempt for Kentucky. The Wildcats finished the game with a total of 414 yards while they ran 61 plays (6.8 yards per play). Kentucky ran the ball for 5.0 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 115 yards on 23 carries. Kentucky gave up 27 rush attempts for 92 yds (3.4 yards per rush). The Wildcats pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 65.5%, relinquishing 219 yards on 19 out of 29 through the air.

Regarding their ability to score points, the Wildcats are ranking 42nd in the nation by tallying 36.0 points per outing. The Kentucky Wildcats hold an average of 384.0 yards/game, ranking them 77th in D-1. The Kentucky offense has accrued 121 yards of penalties on 17 violations, which is 16th in D-1 in terms of hurting your team. They have given away 2 picks while conceding 0 fumbles and they have been able to tally 37 1st downs. Over the course of the season to this point, the Wildcats currently have a total of 540 yards via the pass along with holding an average of 270.0 throwing yards per outing, which has them sitting 46th in Division 1. They average 114.0 run yards per game and have rushed for 228 yards in total.

The Wildcats are conceding 15.5 points per game, which has them ranked 38th in the country. Kentucky has surrendered a total of 164 yards via the ground game (82.0 yards/game) and 2 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this season. This season, they have conceded 31 points. They have surrendered 2 touchdowns through the air in addition to 221.0 yards/game, which has them in 74th in Division 1. The Wildcats defense has been on the field for 127 plays, which ranks them 53rd in Division 1. They have earned 3 fumbles and 1 interception on the season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Zips +25

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