Game Time:  Noon ET, Saturday, October 9th, 2021

Venue:  Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, Ohio

Where to Watch: ESPN+

 

 

DraftKings:  Spread: BG -13; Over/Under:  44.5 points

Circa:  Spread: BG -13; Over/Under:  44.5 points

VegasInsider:  Spread:  BG -13; Over/Under: 44.5 points

 

Akron: 1-4 (Mid-American)

BG: 2-3  (MAC)

 

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Recent Form

The Zips have played a couple big programs to start the season.  Their stats have suffered as a result.  In college football sometimes the opponents come with a big enough paycheck to gladly accept the underdog role.  To start the season the Zips got blown out by Auburn 60-10.  In game 2 the Zips got beaten soundly by Temple 45-24.  In game 3 the Zips played the small school and program Bryant and won 35-14.  In game 4 the Zips got another blowout loss and another big payday against Ohio State 59-7.  Game 5 was against the struggling Ohio and the Zips again lost 34-17.  1-4 to start 2021.  Ohio was their first MAC East opponent and this  Bowling Green team will be their second.  They are not on the path to the National Championship and they won’t spoil anyone else’s chance at a national title… still it would be nice to win a few if just to save face in the MAC.

The Bowling Green Falcons have taken a wild route to get to 2-3.  They took the payday in game 1 as well and dutifully got blown out by Tennessee 38-6.  But then in game 2 they lost to the South Alabama Jaguars 22-19, it was close but indefensible.  The Falcons finally got a win in game 3, 27-10 over Murray State. Game 4 was the shocker.  In Game 4 the Bowling Green Falcons beat Minnesota 14-10… yes the same Minnesota that is a big program and was good last season.  The Falcons started Mac play in Game 5 with a loss to Kent State 27-20.  So on the one hand we have a squad that can lose to South Alabama and Kent State… but then beat Minnesota?... Something is going very wrong in Minnesota or maybe flukes just happen?

Akron is scoring 19.8 points per game on 323.4 yards per game.  QB DJ Irons is 71-103 for 68.9% passing 8 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions.  DJ also leads the Zips in Rushing.  DJ has also had a wild ride with a QBR of 89.4 against Bryant and a QBR of 8.4 against Temple. Back-up QB Kato Nelson has thrown 20-34.  At Wide receiver the Zips have a 1-2 punch with Michael Mathison and Konata Mumpfield.

Bowling Green is scoring a low, low 17.2 points per game (those are clearance prices) on 277 yards per game.  The Falcons are 7 of 7 on field goal attempts and they need to be having only scored 9 touchdowns on the year.  QB Matt McDonald is 118-178 for 66.3 %, 1,149 yards for 3 TDs and 3 INTs.  Jaison Patterson is the running back in the much neglected running game.  At Bowling Green it seems to be all about passing.  Receivers Tyrone Broden, Austin Osborne, and Christian Sims all have over 200 yards with backup RB Taron Keith also pulling down 11 catches for 145 yards.  These would be great numbers for the passing game if they also had 800 accumulated rushing yards… but they don't. They only have 236.  If they can’t balance this offense they won’t be winning many games.

 

 

Akron is the 116th ranked defense (of 130) in the FBS.  They give up 454.2 yards per game.  They have also given up 28 touchdowns ini 5 games.  Now, they have taken on some bigger programs and been the recipient of some blowout losses, but giving up 5 ½ touchdowns a game is tough to overcome.

Bowling Green is the 47th ranked defense in FBS.  They give up 334.2 yards per game and 12 total touchdowns so far.  It would seem that they are a mile above Akron on defense, but this isn’t an opinion bestowed by a panel of judges looking at getty images of pass coverage and watching all home games… These are raw numbers.  Raw numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt when you come to the realization the quality of opponents isn’t factored.  Neither team has played Georgia or Penn State and neither team should, but Akron has reached higher and gotten smacked down harder.

 

 

Our prediction for Saturday, October 9th is…. Bowling Green 27 - Akron 13

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Akron is 3-20 ATS the last 3 seasons.

Akron is 2-10 ATS when playing after a conference game, last three seasons.

Akron is 1-8 ATS when playing a team with a losing record, last three seasons.

Bowling Green is 5-0 ATS this season.

Bowling Green is 4-10 ATS against conference opponents, last 3 seasons.

 

 

Akron:  RB Anthony Williams Jr (undisclosed) Questionable.

Bowling Green:  RB Trevon Reymore (knee) out for season.

It’s all about the quarterbacks in this one.  Can DJ Irons mix passing and scrambling to keep Bowling Green on their heels all day?… or can Matt McDonald hit all of his receivers in a game that should have him facing very little pass rush.

 

 

Akron:  QB DJ Irons, RB Jonzell Norrils, TE Tristian Brank, WR Michael Mathison, WR George Qualls Jr, WR Konata Mumpfield, LT Xavior Gray, LG Nate Williams, C Ryan Beckman, RG Jordan Daniels, RT Owen Murphy

Bowling Green:  QB Matt McDonald, RB Terion Stewart, TE Andrew Bench, TE Christian Sims, WR Tyrone Broden, WR Austin Osborne, LT Jeremiah Banks-Wall, LG Cade Zimmerly,  Jalen Grant, RG Malone VanGorder, RT Jordan Murphy

 

 

 

 

Akron

Passing: DJ Irons  797 yards

Rushing:  DJ Irons  240 yards

Receiving:  Michael Mathison 300 yards

Tackles:  Bubba Arslanian  43

Interceptions:  Charles Amankwaa 2

Bowling Green

Passing:  Matt McDonald  1,149

Rushing:  Jaison Patterson  120

Receiving: Tyrone Broden  247

Tackles:  Darren Anders  44

Interceptions:  Devin Taylor 1

Partly cloudy. high of 78*.  (weather not applicable in NJ, IL, Mi, TN, PA due to Global Warming)