Take Akron to Cover and Under vs Kent State
The 1-7 Kent State Golden Flashes will be looking to achieve something that has seemed to be a gargantuan feat since Week 3 – scoring their second win. On Wednesday night, when they visit the 1-7 Akron Zips, who are also winless in the Mid-American Conference, our college football lines show that that desirable second dub might be going to the hosts.
With both teams in dire need of a win to try and save some face in what’s left of the season, which MAC squad will come out on top?

Let’s break down this game and a couple of my college football expert picks in what looks to be a snooze-fest even for the biggest football fans around.
Can Kent State Prevail?
For this game, and moving forward in the season until proven otherwise, I’m going with no as the answer, and with Akron winning.
Why?
Because Kent State hasn’t been able to show any real sign of bringing anything positive to the field this season.
I’m talking about a team that is just averaging 12.5 points this season. I can probably find a handful of Peewee football teams that have better scoring stats.
Kent State’s passing game, with quarterback Mike Alaimo carrying the majority of the team’s snaps, looks like a lifeless unit. Alaimo has only completed 79 out of 144 passes.
Even with Tommy Ulatowski stepping up to try and help the passing offense, adding a bit more inside the pocket, the stats don’t lie, and they show that this is a team that cannot save itself by moving the ball through the air.
If I had to pick something sort of positive on offense it would probably be the team’s running offense, with Gavin Garcia and Jaylen Thomas putting in an honest effort to try and get something going. But honest efforts don’t always get you wins, and in Kent State’s case, it definitely doesn’t get wins.
Over on defense is where Kent State shows some sort of life. Ranking 69th in the country in total defense and expecting to face another lackluster offense like Akron’s, that could be the key to trying to score a win.
In all honesty, even while losing, Akron has played better football, and, barring a miracle, the Zips will likely rout Kent State.
Kent State vs Akron Betting Lines
Kent State vs Akron Best Bets
I want to be as fair as possible here, but who am I kidding? None of these two teams is any good. While looking around my office I can think of at least five people I could team up with, to take on either Kent State or Akron and go into the game as favorites in the college football spread.
Looking at how both teams have performed this season, even with both having 1-7 records, I get why Akron is the favorite here – even if the spread is only a field goal and a scrap. Kent State doesn’t offer any kind of functionality on offense or defense. Akron at least have shown some signs of growth on defense, which has helped the Zips keep some games close.
I’m going with the obvious choice here, and you should too. If looking for a sound NCAA football pick to roll with, take Akron to win and cover the spread.
College Football Pick: Akron -4 (-110)
Don’t Think Twice, Bet the Under
I don’t know about you guys, but when I run into a game with a total under 40 points, my gut usually tells me to bet the under. Why? Call it college football betting intuition. Or, ifyou’re into fact-checking, I’ll bet it wouldn’t take you more than a hot minute to see that both teams are low-scoring squads.
Who is ready for some Wednesday night MACtion? 👀😈#KentGRIT⚡️ pic.twitter.com/319uvRUX7X
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) October 29, 2023
That exactly is the case in this Kent State vs Akron game on Wednesday night. Both teams have two of the bottom-scoring and total offenses in their conference. Heck, if I had to throw in an NCAA football prediction here, it would be to expect more three-and-outs and turnovers than points scored.
So yes, go with the safe bet here. Don’t expect any fireworks. Go with the under.
College Football Pick: Total Under 38 (-110)
Kent State vs Akron Game Information
- Game: Kent State Golden Flashes (1-7) vs. Akron Zips (1-7)
- Location: InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, Akron, Ohio
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Kent State vs Akron Live Stream: ESPN
Question of the Day
What's a college football bet that could offer good value in Kent State vs Akron?
Even with Akron and Kent State having similar 1-7 records, the hosts have shown more significant signs of life this season. With that said the best NCAA football bet here is to take Akron winning and covering.