Free College Football Picks Today: Akron Zips vs Central Michigan Chippewas 10/15/22

The Central Michigan University Chippewas (1-5, 0-2 MAC), one of the Mid-American Conference’s top passing offenses, are on the road to face the University of Akron Zips (1-5, 0-2 MAC), one of the conference’s softest aerial defenses, at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium on Saturday. The Chippewas are 13-point favorites, and the total is 59.5.Central Michigan is coming off a tight 17-16 loss against Ball State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium last Saturday, their third straight defeat. Daniel Richardson threw for 210 yards and a touchdown. Lew Nichols III ran 31 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Carlos Carriere caught six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Akron dropped a fifth straight game last Saturday, falling 55-34 to Ohio at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium. DJ Irons was 43 of 54 for 418 yards and an interception. Clyde Price III carried 14 times for 39 yards and three touchdowns. Shocky Jacques-Louis hauled in 11 receptions for 152 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2019, a 45-24 win for the Chippewas.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Chippewas are averaging 26.0 points per game for the season, 88th in FBS, and they are facing a Zips defense that has surrendered 40.8 PPG (128th). Meanwhile, Akron has scored 18.3 points a game this season, 119th in the country, and Central Michigan is allowing 30.7 PPG (99th). The Chippewas rank 29th in the nation in passing yards per game (278.3) and 97th in rushing (123.5). Look for them to take advantage through the air and on the ground, as the Zips are 121st in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (291.2) and 117th against the run (192.2). Akron has been one of the country’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 75.0 yards per game (128th), while ranking 34th in passing yards (271.3). The Chippewas are allowing 240.5 passing yards (84th) and 141.5 rushing yards per game (68th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through six games, Daniel Richardson has thrown for 12 touchdowns (4 INT) and 264.3 yards per game to lead Central Michigan in passing. In three away games this season, he has eight TDs (3 INT) and an average of 303.7 yards passing. Lew Nichols III leads the team in rushing with an average of 75.7 yards a game over six games. He has six touchdowns on the ground. Carlos Carriere is the Chippewas’ leading receiver with 75.8 yards a game and two TDs. DJ Irons has six passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 258.0 yards per game through six games to lead Akron. In two home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 248.5 yards. Cam Wiley has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 35.8 yards a game through five games. He has two touchdowns. Shocky Jacques-Louis has been a key target in the Zips’ passing game. He has one touchdown and an 81.5 yard per game average through six appearances.