Akron vs Kent State Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 8

Kent State is favored despite averaging 12.0 points per game with 4 passing touchdowns all season, while Akron brings the better passing game behind Brayden Roggow and Jordan Gant and his 456 rushing yards.

01The Matchup

Kent State is favored at home despite fielding the lowest-scoring offense in this group. The Golden Flashes are 2-5 and average 273.1 yards and 12.0 points per game, with 4 passing touchdowns all season.

Dru DeShields has thrown for 1,145 yards with 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, Mason King leads the rushing attack with just 202 yards, and Wayne Harris leads the receivers with 396 yards and 1 touchdown. Akron is 1-6 but produces more of everything: 339.6 yards and 18.9 points per game, with Brayden Roggow throwing for 1,068 yards and 7 touchdowns, Jordan Gant rushing for 456 yards and 4 scores, and Marcel Williams catching 31 passes for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns.

02Key Factors

Kent State runs for 102.6 yards per game at 2.9 yards per carry, the weakest ground output here, and converts 36.7% on third down, so sustained drives are rare. Akron throws for 206.9 yards per game with 11 passing touchdowns, nearly triple the Kent State total, and the Zips have forced 14 takeaways.

The risk on the underdog is protection and ball security: Kent State has 16 sacks to just 4 for Akron, and Roggow has thrown 8 interceptions against 9 for the Zips as a team. If the Flashes turn that pressure into short fields, their offense does not have to drive the length of the field, which is the one script that suits a team scoring 12.0 points per game.

03The Pick

Laying points with a team averaging 12.0 points per game requires that team to reach the mid-20s or pitch a near shutout, and nothing in the Kent State profile supports either. Akron has the better quarterback production, the better lead back, and a 66.5-yard-per-game edge in total offense, plus a defense that has taken the ball away 14 times. The Zips are flawed, but getting a full field goal with the more functional offense is the right side of this rivalry game. Editorial pick: Akron +3.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.