Akron Zips (1-6) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (3-4)
Akron Zips vs. Bowling Green Falcons 10/21/23 – Week 8 of the NCAAF season is primed to bring some thrilling action as the Akron Zips prepare to face off against the Bowling Green Falcons. Both teams enter with different narratives: Akron, struggling at 1-6, is desperate to turn their season around, while Bowling Green, with a slightly better 3-4 record, seeks to reach a balanced win-loss ratio. This contest promises to be electric, and for those scouting for top-rated NCAAF free picks today, this is a game to watch closely.
Akron has been leaning heavily on their running back, Lorenzo Lingard, who boasts 332 rushing yards from 66 attempts, averaging an impressive 5 yards per rush. His longest rush, a sprint of 71 yards, shows his capability to break free and threaten defenses. Additionally, wide receiver Jasaiah Gathings, though without a receiving touchdown this season, has been a steady target with 25 receptions and 234 receiving yards.
On the other hand, Bowling Green’s offensive arsenal showcases Terion Stewart, the dynamic running back with 539 rushing yards from 91 attempts, reflecting a solid 5.9 yards per rush. Stewart’s 4 rushing touchdowns make him a red zone threat. Alongside Stewart, wide receiver Odieu Hiliare has demonstrated his prowess with 21 receptions, 226 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Akron Zips vs. Bowling Green Falcons 10/21/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Doyt L. Perry Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
DJ Irons QB vs. Connor Bazelak QB
Akron’s DJ Irons has had a commendable season so far, registering 722 passing yards with a 66.2% completion rate. His strengths lie in his ability to maintain a rhythmic passing game, boasting an average of 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Despite facing 14 sacks and losing 79 sack yards this season, his passer rating of 114.7 showcases his resilience and ability to bounce back. Strategically, Irons’ decision-making has seen both highs and lows, with 3 passing touchdowns against 3 interceptions.
Connor Bazelak for the Bowling Green Falcons has been a consistent performer, accumulating 826 passing yards with a 57.4% completion rate. He’s been adept at spotting his wide receivers, averaging 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Bazelak, however, has faced challenges, with 6 interceptions overshadowing his 4 passing touchdowns. His style focuses on structured play, often relying on set plays and timing with his receivers. With 11 total sacks this season, Bazelak needs to refine his pocket presence against aggressive defenses.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Bowling Green Falcons -290, Total Odds: 38
Betting odds indicate a favoritism towards the Bowling Green Falcons, with a moneyline of -290. The point spread leans in their favor as well, suggesting they might win by more than 7.5 points. With a total odds set at 38, the game might not be a high-scoring affair.
Akron Zips Betting Trends
Akron’s recent form doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence for bettors. They’re 2-4 ATS in their last six games and have been on a losing streak with 0-5 SU in their previous five games. Historically, their record against Bowling Green is also worrisome, being 4-11 ATS and 3-11 SU in their last 15 and 14 games respectively against them. Their away record is particularly concerning, standing at 1-13 SU in their last 14 road games.
Bowling Green Falcons Betting Trends
Bowling Green seems to have an edge in recent form, standing at 4-2 ATS in their last six games. Although their SU record is 3-6 in the previous nine games, their history against Akron is strong, with 7-3 ATS in their last ten home games against the Zips. With most of their recent games, especially against Akron, seeing total scores going under, a low-scoring game might be in the offing.
Akron Zips vs. Bowling Green Falcons 10/21/23 Betting Picks
This game is shaping up to be a contest of Akron’s urgency against Bowling Green’s drive to maintain home dominance, especially over Akron. The Zips, despite their recent struggles, might see this as a golden opportunity to regain some momentum. However, based on the available data and recent forms, Bowling Green seems better positioned to clinch this contest.
Considering the betting trends and individual player performances, Bowling Green appears to be the safer pick. For those looking for more adventurous options, prop bets on individual player performances, especially the running backs of both teams, could be interesting. For our premium over/under picks, considering both teams’ recent trends, the under 38 seems a viable option.
Free Pick and Prediction: Bowling Green Falcons 24, Akron Zips 13.