The Kent State Golden Flashes and the Akron Zips meet Wednesday in college football action from InfoCision Stadium. Kent State is currently a rough 1-7 on the season so far. The Flashes last appeared in a loss to Buffalo. As for Akron, they’re also 1-7 this year. The Zips took a blowout loss to Bowling Green back on October 21 in their most recent outing. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Kent State Golden Flashes 

Kent State has struggled mightily with scoring so far this year. The Golden Flashes have just 10 total touchdowns on the season, resulting in 12.5 points per game. Kent State’s pass attempt average (5.9 yards) and rush attempt average (3.0 yards) is pretty abysmal as well. Chrishon McCray is a relative bright spot right now with his 449 receiving yards and two scores. 

In their last outing versus Buffalo back on October 21, the Flashes had a one-point deficit after one quarter. Kent State failed to score again from there in a 24-6 loss. QB Michael Alaimo posted just 51 yards, while Jaylen Thomas led the rush with 65 yards. McCray added 52 yards off five receptions in the defeat. 

Kent State Golden Flashes Team Facts

• The favorite has won each of Kent State’s last eight games.
• The favorite has covered the spread in each of Kent State’s last six games.
• Kent State has lost the first half in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Seven of Kent State’s last eight November games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Akron Zips 

Over on the Zips’ side, they’re not in much better shape this season. Akron has just the one win 24-21 over Morgan State, and they’re currently sitting on a six-game losing streak. Part of the Zips’ issues stem from an ineffective offense averaging just 15.4 points per game. The good news is that there’s been a nice mix of run (62 first downs) and pass (61 first downs), just not many good results. 

Matched up against Bowling Green in their most recent outing, the Zips actually had a 7-3 lead after the first quarter. Akron faltered from there in an eventual 41-14 loss, though. Jeff Undercuffler posted 234 yards with two picks in the defeat, and Lorenzo Lingard had 56 yards and a score off 12 carries. Daniel George was tops in receiving with 74 yards on seven catches. 

Akron Zips Team Facts

• Akron has lost each of its last 10 home games against conference opponents.
• Akron has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 November home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Akron has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
• Akron has lost the first half in eight of its last nine home games against conference opponents.
• Each of Akron’s last four November games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Akron has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team this season (3).
• Akron has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of five points or less of any FBS team this season (2).
• Kent State has suffered the most road losses by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team this season (5).
• Kent State has suffered the most road losses by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team this season (4).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I suppose I’ll stick with Akron in this one. There’s not a whole lot to get excited about here though, as both teams are struggling mightily in 2023. That said, the Zips’ defense was pretty solid overall in the Bowling Green loss; they just couldn’t stop the run (214 yards allowed). Otherwise Akron gave up just 83 pass yards and 15 first downs. The nine team penalties and four turnovers marked a sloppy effort though, and the Zips have now been at 14 or fewer points in four straight games. 

Kent State has been at 17 or fewer points in each of their last five games, so this matchup could play out a lot of different ways. It’ll be a competitive game if nothing else, and I like Akron to eke out a cover in the end.