The Chippewas (-3) are set to host their MAC foe Akron Zips in Central Michigan. This daytime game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. ET and spectators can watch the action live on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Akron Zips at Central Michigan Chippewas
The Zips enter into this Saturday MAC game as the dog here and are currently getting 3 points. The Zips are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Chippewas are -155. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 46.5 points. Some decent live betting opportunities should be unveiled during this matchup.
The sharp action is siding with both the Zips and the under. The line initially opened at -5 and the over/under was placed originally at 47.5.
The Zips are 0-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.0 units so far in 2019. The team has posted an O/U record of 1-1.
The Chippewas are up 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-0.
The Zips have gone 0-2 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any MAC competition yet. The Chippewas are 1-1 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Zips came up short to UAB 31-20 in a matchup where Kato Nelson completed only 25 passes on 44 attempts for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson (31 yards on 13 rush attempts) also led the ground attack in the loss and was complemented by Deltron Sands (nine yards on 12 carries, one TD). Dustin Burkhart (eight receptions, 217 yards) and Jeremiah Knight (four catches, 15 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Central Michigan was just shut out 61-0 by Wisconsin. The defense allowed the Badgers to pass for 400 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 199 yards and five scores. Quintez Cephus had a good outing in the win, recording 130 yards and two touchdowns on six catches for Wisconsin. As a group, the Chippewas collectively completed nine-of-24 passes for 43 yards and one interception. Quinten Dormady went five-for-12 for 36 yards and one interception while David Moore was three-of-11 for one yards. Kumehnnu Gwilly (eight yards on six rush attempts) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Kalil Pimpleton (three receptions, 18 yards) and Tony Poljan (two catches, two yards) led the receiving corps.
Akron has run the ball on 48.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Central Michigan has an overall rush percentage of 52.7 percent. The Zips have produced 49 rush yards per game and have only one touchdown via handoffs this year. The Chippewas are totaling 129.5 rushing yards per game and have two total rush TDs.
The Zips offense has tallied 243.5 yards per contest in the air overall and has two passing score so far. The Chippewas have put up 164 pass yards per game and have three total pass TDs.
Defensively, Akron should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 145 yards and throw for 256.5 yards per game. The Central Michigan defense has allowed 299.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 122.0 yards per game on the ground. The Chippewas are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 10.04 to opposing QBs, while the Zips have given up a whopping 11.71 ANY/A.
Dormady has completed 5-of-12 passes for 36 yards, zero TDs and one INT for Central Michigan. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at a minuscule -1.23 for the year and 6.13 across his past two outings. In the other locker room, Nelson is up to 359 passing yards this year, and has completed 25-of-44 attempts with two passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Nelson has a 7.73 ANY/A for the year, although that number is 5.46 over the past two games.
These two squads met last year with the final result being a 17-10 win for Akron.
Akron Zips at Central Michigan Chippewas Free Prediction
SU Winner: Central Michigan, ATS Winner: Central Michigan, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Akron defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs two times this season. Central Michigan has registered one sack.
- Both offenses have lost three fumbles this season.
- The Zips offense has registered three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Chippewas have put up zero such plays.
- The Akron defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Central Michigan has given up one such play.
- Both teams have produced zero rushing plays of 20 yards or more and six running plays of 10+ yards.
- Both defenses have allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards and seven running plays of 10+ yards.
- The Over/Under for Central Michigan’s previous outing was set at 54. The over cashed in that 61-0 defeat to Wisconsin.
- The Over/Under for Akron’s last game going into it was 46.5. The over cashed in the team’s 31-20 loss to UAB.
