MACtion is back for another Tuesday doubleheader, and we examine the matchup between the Kent State Golden Flashes and Akron Zips. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU, with the conference rivals playing for the Wagon Wheel trophy.
Kent State (3-6 SU, 4-5 ATS) and Akron (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) are mired mid-pack in the MAC standings. The Zips are being dealt as a 7-point favorite at home with a total of 48.5 at DraftKings. 61% of spread handle and 74% of tickets are on Akron.
Best Bet for Kent State vs. Akron: Against the Spread
Akron -7 (-105 at DraftKings)
It’s Senior Night for the Zips, and the forecast calls for strong winds. Akron is coming off a 44-10 thrashing of UMass last week, and we cashed tickets on the Zips to score more than 30.5 points and cover the 11.5-point spread.
Akron has scored at least 24 points in four of its last five games. QB Ben Finley, who played previously at NC State and Cal, has amassed 15 TD passes on the season. He’s thrown for multiple TDs in six of his last seven games. WRs Kyan Mason, Israel Polk, and Marcel Williams are all key contributors in the aerial attack.
Akron boasts a balanced offense with RB Jordan Gant leading the ground game. Gant, who just gashed UMass for 153 yards and two TDs, leads the MAC in rushing yards with 850.
Kent State has the MAC’s worst scoring defense and total defense, except for UMass. The Golden Flashes rank 126th nationally in allowing 440.2 yards per game. They check in at No. 125, allowing 36.5 points per game. This has the potential to be another blowout win by Akron.
On offense, Kent State relies on the big-play ability of QB Dru DeShields. His 11/2 TD-to-INT ratio is solid. DeShields likes to go deep, too, with three TD passes of 75 yards or longer on the year.
Slot receiver Cade Wolford was on the receiving end of two of those. Unfortunately, Kent State struggles to run the ball with consistency. The Golden Flashes rank 131st nationally, producing only 86.9 rushing yards per game.
Bottom line: Take the Zips to win and cover tonight.
Best Player Prop for Akron Zips
Ben Finley OVER 1.5 Passing TDs (-122 at FanDuel)
It’s somewhat surprising that FanDuel hasn’t juiced this prop more. Finley routinely throws for multiple TDs. Check out his last three games:
- 197 passing yards, 2 TDs vs. UMass
- 230 passing yards, 2 TDs vs. Buffalo
- 291 passing yards, 3 TDs vs. Ball State
He’s only been held to a single TD pass once in his last seven games. Kent State’s defense ranks No. 111 among 136 FBS teams in allowing 298 passing yards per game. The Golden Flashes have also given up 20 passing TDs this season. Only six teams in America have given up more.
Best Player Prop for Kent State Golden Flashes
Dru DeShields UNDER 180.5 Passing Yards (-114 at FanDuel)
With winds of 10 to 20 mph predicted, the passing game could be more of a challenge for both teams. We still think Finley has a couple of scoring strikes, but would lean UNDER on his total passing yards prop of 222.5.
For his part, DeShields has gone UNDER 180.5 passing yards in four of his last five games. He’s only surpassed that total twice all season. Factor in the wind, and this play looks favorable.
The post Kent State vs. Akron Odds, Prediction: Best Bets for Tonight’s ‘MACtion’ Showdown appeared first on CasinoBeats.
MACtion is back for another Tuesday doubleheader, and we examine the matchup between the Kent State Golden Flashes and Akron Zips. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU, with the conference rivals playing for the Wagon Wheel trophy. Kent State (3-6 SU, 4-5 ATS) and Akron (4-6 SU, 5-5 ATS) are mired mid-pack
The post Kent State vs. Akron Odds, Prediction: Best Bets for Tonight’s ‘MACtion’ Showdown appeared first on CasinoBeats.