Akron Zips vs Kent State Golden Flashes Point Spread Picks

Akron hasn't quit on the season, going 1-2 SU/2-1 ATS over their last three games. They knocked off Eastern Michigan, 25-21, as an underdog and come off a 29-16 loss at Northern Illinois covering as a +14 underdog. They're 3-2 ATS over the last five games, also covering as a big dog in a 27-20 loss to Bowling Green, tied 20-20 in the final three minutes. QB Ben Finley (13 TDs, 9 INTs) has a very good target in WR Adrian Norton (724 yards, 7 TDs, 19.1 yards per catch) while RB Jordon Simmons (551 yards) averages 5.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Kent State has lost all 10 of its games. QB Tommy Ulatowski (43.4% completions) leads an offense that averages 14.3 points while the defense allows an average of 44.8 points and 521.9 yards per game. The defensive breakdown is ugly, allowing 257 yards passing and 264.9 yards rushing per contest. In the last three games, Kent State has been outscored 127-28. Kent State is on a 4-14-1 ATS run. Play Akron.

This could be a tough game for Kent St. The Golden Flashes blew a 21-point lead last week, and with lowly Akron coming in, a team they have beaten three straight times by a combined score of 133-38. Last week's result and a poor Akron team in town, and I just don't see the Kent St. "A" game here. Akron is a surprising 19-12 in their last 3 meetings vs Kent St. This game is not going to draw a lot of betting attention, and for that matter, the home crowd will be very limited. Akron has covered 3 of their last 4, and the line here has moved away from Kent St. I think this is a lot closer. Make the play on Akron.

Akron already has fired its coach, Tom Arth, who went 3-24 over three seasons and Oscar Rodriguez Jr. is in the interim coach and he lost his first game 45-40 at Western Michigan last week. The Zips are allowing 38.7 points and Kent State is averaging 31.5 points. The Golden Flashes have won four of their past six although they come off a 54-30 loss at Central Michigan. Dustin Crum went 28 of 38 for 322 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions for the Golden Flashes and Dante Cephas had five receptions for 100 yards against the Chippewas. Kent State won last year's meeting 69-35 and the Golden Flashes have covered the last five meetings and they are 10-1 ATS versus teams with losing records and 10-2 ATS as road favorites. Also, Kent State is 8-3 ATS their last 11 November games. Akron is 8-22 ATS as an underdog and 17-36 ATS at home. Lay the points with Kent State.