Free College Football Picks Today: Akron Zips vs Bowling Green Falcons 10/1/22

The University of Akron Zips (1-3, 1-0 Home) host the Bowling Green State University Falcons (1-3, 0-2 Away) at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium on Saturday as both teams get their Mid-American Conference schedules underway. The Falcons are 9.5-point favorites, and the total is 51.5.Bowling Green is coming off a deflating 45-14 loss against Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field last Saturday. Camden Orth threw for 172 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Jaylen Jennings ran six times for 28 yards. Harold Fannin Jr. caught five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Akron dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 21-12 to Liberty at Williams Stadium. DJ Irons was 29 of 52 for 269 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Cam Wiley carried 12 times for 52 yards. Daniel George hauled in 11 receptions for 93 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Zips won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 35-20 victory in October. Zach Gibson threw three touchdowns for Akron, as Blake Hester added two TDs and Konata Mumpfield scored twice. Matt McDonald tossed two touchdowns for Bowling Green, as Tyrone Broden found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Falcons are averaging 30.5 points per game so far this season, 71st in FBS, and they are facing a Zips defense that has surrendered 39.8 PPG (124th). Meanwhile, Akron has scored 12.0 points a game this season, 128th in the country, and Bowling Green is allowing 45.0 PPG (128th).The Falcons rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (85.0, 122nd), while they are 88th in passing yards (220.0). They may find their best opportunities on the ground, as the Zips are 121st in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (211.0). Against the pass, Akron is 105th (268.3).Akron has been one of the country’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 51.5 yards per game (130th), while ranking 70th in passing yards (246.5). The Falcons are allowing 364.3 passing yards (130th) and 155.8 rushing yards per game (84th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through three games, McDonald has thrown for 10 touchdowns and 230.0 yards per game to lead Bowling Green in passing. Jaison Patterson leads the team in rushing with an average of 20.8 yards a game over four games. He has one touchdown on the ground. Odieu Hiliare is the Falcons’ leading receiver with 41.0 yards a game and three TDs. Irons has three passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 226.5 yards per game through four games to lead Akron. In one prior home game this season, he threw for two TDs and 273 yards. Wiley has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 42.8 yards a game through four games. He has two touchdowns. Shocky Jacques-Louis has been the primary target in the Zips’ passing game. He has one touchdown and a 69.2 yard per game average through four appearances.