The Akron Zips hit the road to take on the Buffalo Bulls in MAC college football action tonight. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on ESPNu. Currently the odds for the game have the Zips favored on the road to get this done.
Both Akron and Buffalo have stumbled to tough starts this season, but playing on national television tonight certainly makes them more interesting. Hell, any team playing on Tuesday night is interesting.
Akron is 4-5 this season but have lost three straight games after a successful 4-2 start. Prior to their recent skid Akron had lost to Penn State and Marshall, but recently have dropped road games against Ohio, Ball State and a home beatdown by Bowling Green last week.
Yet, they're favored in this matchup, on the road, at Buffalo. The Bulls were 3-2 at one point this season but have fallen in four straight games overall, all of which came in conference. A couple of those were winnable games as they fell by a single point to Bowling Green and one TD to Central Michigan.
Buffalo comes in with a 3-6 record, getting drilled by Ohio in their last game by better than three touchdowns.
Neither team scores a lot of points with the Bulls averaging 28 per game, Akron just 21. This game has the potential to be a lower-scoring affair and the Zips defense has actually been decent this season, allowing 21 points per game to their opponents. But allowing as much as you average doesn't make them a good football team.
Akron also has the best overall win between these two teams, knocking off Pittsburgh back at the end of September on the road. Ironically enough that's the only win on the road for Akron this season.
Buffalo dropped their last home game to Central Michigan. They're going to have to throw the football tonight with Joe Licata, who has 2,199 yards and 21 touchdowns. Anthone Taylor has nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground as well, so the Bulls have some weapons but Akron's defense will look to keep them grounded tonight.
Akron has not been able to run the ball well this season, averaging just 121 yards on the ground. Last game Kyle Pohl threw the ball 62 times for Akron, getting picked off three times. He won't be able to do that again tonight or the Zips will be in trouble.
Akron is the better football team, with the better defense. They should be able to get the win here on the road.
Free Pick: Akron 23, Buffalo 17
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