This is a matchup between two struggling MAC programs.
UMass is 0-8 and is one of two winless Group of Five programs at this point in the season, as Sam Houston is also 0-8. The Minutemen have been close in a couple games, including a seven-point loss against Buffalo. But for the most part, UMass has been losing in blowouts.
Akron has seen a little more success, though not much. The Zips are 3-6 overall and 2-3 against MAC teams.
Their first win of the season was against FCS Duquesne. They beat Central Michigan 28-22 a few weeks later. And in their most recent outing, Akron defeated Buffalo, which has a chance of making it to the MAC Championship, 24-16.
Will Akron use a win over UMass to possibly get back to .500 by the end of the season? Or will UMass finally earn its first victory of the year?
UMass vs. Akron Betting Odds
Akron is a -10.5 college football betting odds favorite against UMass, with the Over/Under being 51.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for UMass is +340, while it’s -450 for Akron.
UMass vs. Akron On TV
The matchup between UMass and Akron will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The contest is taking place at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio.
UMass vs. Akron Prediction
I predict Akron will win and cover the 10.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 51.5 total points.
I think UMass is still highly motivated to end the season with at least one win. But home games against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green, in my opinion, might be better opportunities.
And Akron has shown some improvement in recent weeks. After a blowout loss at Toledo, Akron has either won – against Central Michigan and Buffalo – or has kept its losses to within two possessions – against Miami (Ohio) and Ball State.
Akron is also better than UMass statistically on both sides of the ball and is playing at home. The Zips are eighth in the MAC in scoring offense (18.8 points per game) and scoring defense (29 PPG allowed) while UMass is last in the league in scoring offense (11.5 PPG) and second-to-last in scoring defense (35.9 PPG allowed).
Akron’s passing offense, led by quarterback Ben Finley as well as wide receivers Kyan Mason, Israel Polk, and Marcel Williams, actually hasn’t been terrible compared to the rest of the MAC. The Zips are seventh in the conference in total offense with 325.1 yards per game and are sixth with 199.8 passing YPG.
And considering UMass is 12th in the MAC in passing defense with 256.1 YPG allowed through the air, I expect the Zips’ passing offense will be effective en route to a 14-point win.
