Akron Zips (1-1) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-1)
September 19, 2026 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers -26.5; Over/Under: 48.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Akron Zips and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Saturday in college football action from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Here’s a Minnesota vs Akron prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Minnesota vs Akron pick.
Akron Zips Betting Preview
The Zips have two games in the bag so far. First came a September 3 matchup versus Wake Forest. Akron was down 28-3 by halftime in that one, eventually giving up points in every quarter during a 38-16 loss. Brayden Roggow was a perfect 7-for-7 passing though, notching 45 yards and two scores. Cibastian Broughton led the rush on 14 carries for 82 yards.
In game two versus Robert Morris last weekend, the Zips were up 21-10 by the end of the first half. Akron kept it going with 24 more points in an eventual blowout win 45-10. Broughton posted a 23-of-27 line this time for 227 yards and four scores. Jordan Gant had 81 yards and a rush TD on 12 carries and Sean Patrick had four catches for 65 yards and a score in the win.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
Over on the Minnesota side, they took on Eastern Illinois in their opener. Minnesota didn’t have too many issues in that one, posting double-digit points in every quarter along the way to a 59-7 blowout win. QB Drake Lindsey notched 264 yards and a TD on 19-of-24 passing, but Darius Taylor was the star of the show with 14 carries for 56 yards and three scores.
Matched up against Mississippi State in game two, the Gophers were in trouble at halftime, down 28-6. Minnesota managed to find the end zone in the third quarter but ultimately limped to a 38-13 loss. Lindsey was 31-of-48 this time for 279 yards. Darius Taylor led a limp rush on just 15 yards from six totes and Noah Jennings had seven catches for 88 yards.
Akron Zips @ Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends: Week 3
Minnesota Golden Gophers Player Prop Facts
- Drake Lindsey has thrown zero interceptions in seven consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.
Akron Zips Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, Sean Patrick ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Minnesota ranks 134th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (80.0).
- Minnesota ranks 22nd among FBS teams for passing yards per game this season (307.5).
- Akron ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- Akron ranks T128th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (14.0).
Minnesota vs Akron Prediction
I’ll stay with Akron. This should be an interesting game overall. The Zips got past a decent Robert Morris team with ease last weekend, posting 523 yards (241 rushing), 7.3 yards per play and 28 first downs. On defense Akron was even better, giving up just 194 yards (14 rushing), 12 first downs and 4-of-12 on third-down tries. It was a nice bounce-back after the ugly road loss versus Wake Forest.
As for Minnesota, they gave up 479 yards (252 rushing), 7.0 yards per play and 28 first downs in the loss to Mississippi State. The Gophers offense went just 4-of-13 on third downs and the team committed 12 penalties for 115 yards in a sloppy effort. Minnesota should—in theory anyway—benefit from the home presence here but they need a much better effort.
