MAC Football continues on this week with a matchup between the 0-2 Akron Zips and the 2-0 Kent State Golden Flashes.
The game will be held in Kent, Ohio on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.
As a reminder, the MAC decided to postpone their season until November, with a six-game conference schedule for each of their teams.
Akron has yet to find a win this year, their most recent loss coming against Ohio, 24-10. Kent State will look to remain unbeaten after a 62-24 victory over Bowling Green.
Winless for Awhile
Akron has struggled on both sides of the ball to start their 2020 season. Averaging just 11.5 points per game on offense while letting up an average of 41 points.
Akron’s quarterback is freshman Zach Gibson. In two games, Gibson has just 343 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Their leading offensive playmaker is running back Teon Dollard, with 232 yards rushing. The majority of Dollard’s success came on the heels of last week’s performance, where he racked up 165 yards on 22 carries.
Junior linebacker Bubba Arslanian is leading this defense in tackles (17) and sacks (2.0). The Zips have yet to force a turnover in two games this year.
The Akron program has not won a football game since October 27, 2018.
Explosive Offense
On the other side, Kent State has started strong this year and are in a good position to start 3-0.
The Golden Flashes offense is averaging 529 yards per game this year, led by quarterback Dustin Crum. Crum has 490 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception in two games.
Crum’s go-to targets have been receivers Isaiah McKoy and Ja’Shaun Poke. Both McKoy and Poke scored twice last week in their beatdown of Bowling Green.
Elsewhere on offense is a two-headed rushing attack of Bryan Bradford (185 yards) and Marquez Cooper (two touchdowns).
The Golden Flashes have racked up seven sacks and three turnovers as a team in just two games.
Kent State has won six straight contests dating back to last November.
Zips vs. Golden Flashes Betting Odds & Lines
Kent State opened as a 24-point favorite. It’s a fair line given the disparity in scoring and defense between these two teams.
Kent State has averaged 44.5 points per game while holding opponents to 23.5. The Zips have scored just 11.5 and let up 41.0.
Those numbers bring us to Kent State at a current +21 point differential, while Akron is -29.5.
These numbers lend credence to Kent State opening as 24-point favorites.
Free Betting Pick
These two teams are at wildly different positions of their year. Akron has struggled for years while Kent State is building momentum for a run at the wide-open MAC championship.
Last year, the Golden Flashes beat the Zips 26-3, and I would expect a similar result on Tuesday night.
Free Pick: Kent State -24
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