Akron Zips vs Ohio Bobcats Point Spread Picks

Akron finally gets a chance to keep it close against an FBS team as it takes on Ohio, which lost 41-6 to Kentucky on Saturday. The Zips have been getting torched this season, but it has been against tough competition, including losses to Ohio State, Rutgers and South Carolina. The Bobcats have two wins against South Alabama and FCS Morgan State and they didn't cover in the 2023 meeting as they beat the Zips 25-14 as a 15.5-point favorite. Akron has covered three of the past four meetings that were on the road. Ohio QB Nick Poulos was only 8 of 19 for 110 yards and no TDs with an interception against Kentucky and the Bobcats were outgained 488-223. Ohio's other quarterback, Parker Navarro, is questionable with an injury. The UNDER is 5-0 in Ohio's past five games after it scored fewer than 20 points its previous game and the Bobcats are 13-7 UNDER their past 20 overall. Ten of the past 15 meetings have stayed UNDER and Ohio has gone UNDER six of seven September games. Ohio averages only 19 points per game. Take Akron and the UNDER.

Ohio is having a fine season behind senior QB Kurtis Rourke (10 TDs, 5 picks) and a powerful defense. The 'D' is fifth in the nation in yards given up and seventh in points allowed (16.1 per game). Ohio is on a 12-4 ATS run in conference action, plus 38-22 ATS when facing a team with a winning percentage of 25% or worse. Akron is on a 1-8 SU, 3-5-1 run. The defense is 85th in points surrendered (29 per game) while the offense is 127th in total yards and 130th in points scored (15.7 per contest). Three quarterbacks have combined for nine TDs and 14 interceptions and the ground game averages just 2.9 yards per carry. Akron is on a 53-78 spread run at home, including 26-44 ATS as a home dog. Ohio won 55-34 last year and will have no trouble again. Play Ohio. 

Akron opened the season with a win vs St. Francis and has lost four straight since. After two games vs Michigan St. and Tennessee where they lost by a combined 115-6 score, they have been a lot more competitive as they face teams that they can at least hang with. They suffered a 9-point loss at Liberty and a 3-point loss at home to Bowling Green. The Zips lost the yardage battle in those 2 games by a combined total of 3 yards. This team is a lot more competitive than the overall stats would show. Ohio, U. is 2-3 and has allowed 31 or more points in every game. They allowed 52 points and 640 total yards to FCS Fordham, and 726 yards to Kent St. in their last game. Akron has moved the ball well vs much better competition and they will score enough here to hang within a double-digit spread. Make the play on Akron.