Week 4: Liberty vs Akron 9/24/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Liberty Flames and Akron Zips square off Saturday in week 4 college football action from Williams Stadium. Akron is coming off a matchup versus Tennessee. In that one, the Zips posted a blowout loss. As for Liberty, they just finished up against Wake Forest. The Flames ended up losing a tough one by a single point. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Akron had a close matchup versus St. Francis PA in their opener this year. The Zips needed overtime to eventually pull out a 30-23 win. Game two against Michigan State didn’t go well for the Zips, however. Akron gave up 28 points in the third quarter alone in a 52-0 loss. 

In game three versus Tennessee, Akron gave up double-digit points in every quarter during a rough 63-6 blowout loss. QB DJ Irons had 241 yards on 32-of-44 passing, and Jonzell Norrils had two carries for 15 yards. Shocky Jacques-Louis managed 103 yards on nine catches. 

Over on the Liberty side, they also played a tight matchup in their opener. The Flames similarly escaped with an overtime win, 29-27 over Southern Miss. In game two against UAB, Liberty was able to keep it going with a 21-14 victory. 

Back on Saturday versus Wake Forest, the Flames were down 20-8 at the break. Liberty posted a furious second-half comeback but ultimately fell short 37-36. QB Kaidon Salter had 256 yards with two TDs and two picks. Dae Dae Hunter put up 89 yards and a TD rushing as well.

The Zips are 17-35 in the last 52 overall and 6-15 ATS in the last 21 after an ATS loss. Arkon is 10-29 ATS in their last 39 on turf. 

Meanwhile, the Flames are 4-0 ATS in their last four versus the MAC and 9-2 ATS versus a team with a losing record. Liberty is 5-2 ATS in their last seven in September. 

PICK: I’m staying with Liberty but the line is probably too thick to play around with. The Flames stood tall against Wake Forest over the weekend and gave the Deacons a real fight. Liberty posted 22 first downs, 428 yards and 4-of-5 on fourth-down tries in that one. That said, Liberty had four turnovers and went just 4-of-16 on third downs as well. 

As for Akron, there was no way they were going to come close against Tennessee in their last game and they were dominated in pretty much every aspect. The Zips should obviously get much closer here but I don’t think they’ll cover.