The Miami-Ohio RedHawks and Akron Zips clash Wednesday in week 11 college football action from Yager Stadium. Akron is sitting at 2-7 overall on the season. The Zips last appeared in a win over Kent State on November 1. As for Miami-OH, they’re 7-2 overall this year. The RedHawks won their last game over Ohio by a pair of touchdowns. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Akron Zips 

The Zips have only got a couple of wins under their belt this year: one versus Morgan State (24-21) and the other against Kent State (31-27). Akron hasn’t been a great scoring team in 2023; they’re averaging just 17.1 points per game with 19 total touchdowns. The Zips have eight passing touchdowns (with 12 picks) and nine on the ground (with a 3.1-yard average per carry). 

The good news for Akron is that they’re coming off a wild comeback victory at home versus Kent State. The Zips notched 21 fourth-quarter points to cap a 31-27 win. Jeff Undercutter logged 298 yards with two scores, and Lorenzo Lingard led the rush with 106 yards and a TD. Daniel George (104 yards) and Jasaiah Gathings (103 yards) each had a TD on nine catches. 

Akron Zips Team Facts

• Akron has lost each of its last 10 matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Akron has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Akron has lost the first half in 33 of its last 39 games against conference opponents.
• Akron has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
• Each of Akron’s last four November games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Miami-OH RedHawks

Over on the Miami-Ohio side, they’ve fared considerably better this year and have won seven of their last eight games. The RedHawks are averaging just under 30 points per game (29.8) and they’ve got a nicely-balanced offensive attack to draw from. Miami-OH has 15 passing scores (five interceptions) and 15 rush touchdowns (4.5-yard average). 

The RedHawks started slowly in their last matchup versus Ohio, falling behind 9-0 after one quarter. Miami-OH would score 23 unanswered points over the next two quarters though, and won it 30-16. Aveon Smith had a pass TD with 103 yards, but Rashad Amos did most of the work with 163 rush yards and a TD of his own. 

Miami (OH) RedHawks Team Facts

• Miami (OH) has won each of its last six games against Akron.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between Akron and Miami (OH).
• Miami (OH) has won the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
• Six of Miami (OH)’s last seven home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Miami (OH) rank 23rd among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (19.0).
• 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).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll just stay with Miami-OH. The RedHawks could use a better offensive showing in this one as compared to their last outing versus Ohio. That said, considering the mismatch on paper here I think they’ll get it. Miami-OH put up a tepid 291 yards (103 passing) in their win over Ohio with just 14 first downs and a rough 3-of-12 rate on third downs. The defense kept the team in the game though, allowing just 3-of-14 on third-down tries. Miami-OH has scored 27 or more points in three of their last four games and should reach that total in this one. 

As for Akron, they’re riding high after a comeback victory in their last appearance. It was the first time the Zips had scored more than 14 points since September 23 however, so the 30-plus points total probably won’t happen again here. I like Akron to hang around for a while on Wednesday but I don’t think they’ll come close to covering.