The Akron Zips and Central Michigan Chippewas meet Saturday in week 7 college football action at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Akron Zips Betting Preview 

The Akron Zips need a feel good win to snap a 4-game losing streak. Akron has lost 4 straight road games. DJ Irons is completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 722 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Jasaiah Gathings and Lorenzo Lingard have combined for 403 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Daniel George has 21 receptions. The Akron Zips ground game is averaging 106.3 yards per contest, and Lingard leads the way with 287 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Akron is allowing 29.5 points and 356.8 yards per game. Bryan McCoy leads the Akron Zips with 54 tackles, CJ Nunnally IV has 5 sacks and Tyson Durant has 1 interception.

Akron Zips Team Facts

• Akron has lost each of its last eight games in October.
• The road team has covered the spread in seven of Akron’s last eight games.
• Akron has lost the first half in 15 of its last 17 road games against conference opponents.
• Eight of Akron’s last 10 road games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Preview 

The Central Michigan Chippewas look for a third home win to get above a .500 record. Central Michigan has split its last 8 home games. Jase Bauer is completing 59 percent of his passes for 879 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Jesse Prewitt III and Chris Parker have combined for 561 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, while Tyson Davis has 14 receptions. The Central Michigan Chippewas ground game is averaging 148 yards per contest, and Myles Bailey leads the way with 332 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Central Michigan is allowing 34 points and 437.2 yards per game. Kyle Moretti leads the Central Michigan Chippewas with 54 tackles, Jacques Bristol has 2.5 sacks and Elijah Rikard has 1 interception.

Central Michigan Chippewas Team Facts

• Central Michigan has lost five of its last six October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Central Michigan has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Four of Central Michigan’s last five home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER 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 (2).
• Akron has suffered the most road losses by a margin of five points or less of any FBS team this season (2).

Randy’s Pick

The Akron Zips had tough overtime losses to Indiana and Buffalo, so they could easily be looking at a better situation. Still, good teams find ways to win, and Akron is not. Akron is 128th in scoring offense and 97th in scoring defense. With that said, Central Michigan has defensive issues of its own, and it’s also 95th in scoring offense. That Buffalo team that Akron took to overtime, Central Michigan just lost to by a score of 13-37. In what world should the Chippewas be double-digit favorites? Not this one. Give me Akron and the points.