Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Nov. 9, 2021

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Akron Zips (2-7, 1-4 MAC) head west to face the Western Michigan Broncos (5-4, 2-3) at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich. For a Mid-American East-West battle Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

Score Prediction

Western Michigan 41, Akron 27

Best Bets

Akron +26.5 (-108)

Over 62.5 (-103)

Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Predictions

Akron put up a pretty strong fight at InfoCision last week, falling 31-25 to visiting Ball State. However, the Zips easily covered a 20-point number as the UNDER connected. Akron is now a respectable 3-1 ATS across the past four outings after opening the season 1-4 ATS across the first five games overall. The Zips showed some signs of life on offense, putting up 331 passing yards to just 185 for Ball State. Akron couldn’t stop the run, however, coughing up 240 yards on the ground. Western Michigan will more than certainly want to follow that blueprint.

Western Michigan was dumped 42-30 against rival Central Michigan last Wednesday, and now it faces the quick turnaround. At least the Broncos are home again. The Broncos opened the season 3-1 ATS, but Western Michigan is just 1-3-1 ATS across the past five outings while the OVER has hit in three of the previous four contests.

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Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Betting Odds

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Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Betting Resources

Matchup: MAC
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Venue: Waldo Stadium
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
TV-Time: CBSSN - 7:00 p.m. ET

Akron Zips Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 2-7
ATS: 4-5
O/U: 4-4-1
ATS - Home: 2-3
ATS - Away: 2-2

The Zips are underdogs by more than 14 points, and Akron seems to enjoy that spot. Akron has covered three straight as an underdog by two or more touchdowns. The OVER is 2-1 in those games.

Akron’s problems are on defense, as the Zips have allowed 31 or more points in each of the previous three contests. The Zips have allowed 31 or more points in seven of nine games overall, too. Akron has yielded 446.4 total yards per game to rank 114th out of 130 teams in the FBS, while allowing 220.0 rushing yards per game to rank 123rd. The Zips have allowed 38.0 PPG to rank 126th, too.

On offense, Akron has scratched out 349.7 total yards per game to check in 102nd, and the Zips have their most success in the pass game with 223.4 yards per game through the air. While Akron is averaging 20.4 PPG, it has eclipsed that mark in three of the past four, including last week against Ball State.

Western Michigan Broncos Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 5-4
ATS: 4-4-1
O/U: 4-5
ATS - Home: 3-2
ATS - Away: 1-2-1

The Broncos were dumped 42-30 by CMU, with the Chips dinging the Broncos for 148 rushing yards and 241 passing yards. Western had no answers for WR/KR Kalil Pimpleton, as he went for 115 receiving yards and a touchdown, while also ripping off a 70-yard punt return for score and 97-yard punt return for score in the second quarter. Special teams were obviously a focal point in practice this past week for the Broncos.

Western actually outgained Central 276-to-241 through the air, and 169-to-148 on the ground, but they were killed in the return game. It’s unlikely Akron is able to manage that kind of success on special teams. The Broncos also had a minus-3 turnover ratio against the Chippewas last week, and still only lost by 12.

The Western Michigan Broncos have gone OVER the point total in four of their last six home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Akron Zips

Record: 2-7
VI Ranking: 121
Points Scored: 184
Points Allowed: 342
PS/G: 20.4
PA/G: 38.0

Inside the Stats - Western Michigan Broncos

Record: 5-4
VI Ranking: 98
Points Scored: 262
Points Allowed: 260
PS/G: 29.1
PA/G: 28.9

Key Players to Watch

AKR: Zach Gibson - QB (69/96, 846 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT)
AKR: Konata Mumpfield - WR (46 catches, 562 yards, 6 TD)
WMU: Kaleb Eleby - QB (167/274, 2,253 yards, 13 TD, 3 INT)
WMU: Skyy Moore - WR (64 catches, 814 yards, 5 TD)

Akron Zips vs. Western Michigan Broncos Betting Conclusion

The Zips should be able to have some success in the pass game, while the Broncos should be able to take care of the football better. Western Michigan will also be better on special teams after getting torched in return yardage.

Western Michigan dominated this game last season on Nov. 4, 2020, as the Broncos won 58-13. The Zips won the most recent meeting in Kalamazoo, however, winning 14-13 on Oct. 15, 2017. With MAC football, especially late in the season in these mid-week battles, you just never know.

I still think the Broncos are able to bounce back and attain bowl eligibility with a victory, but the Zips will hang around for a while. Akron QB Zach Gibson threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns last week against Ball State, and he has really shown some improvement since supplanting QB Demarcus Irons Jr. under center. Look for a closer game than the books expect.