Free College Football Picks Today: Kent State Golden Flashes vs Akron Zips 10/22/22

The University of Akron Zips (1-6, 0-3 MAC), one of the Mid-American Conference’s strongest passing offenses, head to face the Kent State University Golden Flashes (2-5, 1-2 MAC), one of the conference’s weakest aerial defenses, at Dix Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Flashes are 18.5-point favorites, and the total is 68.5.

Akron is coming off a 28-21 loss against Central Michigan at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium last Saturday, their sixth straight defeat. DJ Irons threw for 255 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 15 times for 12 yards and a touchdown.

Daniel George caught five passes for 77 yards.Kent State lost 52-31 to Toledo at Glass Bowl last Saturday. Collin Schlee was 13 of 26 for 162 yards and an interception. Marquez Cooper carried 31 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Dante Cephas had five receptions for 68 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Golden Flashes won the only game between the teams last season, a 38-0 victory in November, their third straight win against Akron. Marquez Cooper had a rushing touchdown for Kent State.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Zips are averaging 18.7 points per game for the season, 118th in FBS, and they are facing a Golden Flashes defense that has surrendered 32.9 PPG (114th). Meanwhile, Kent State has scored 27.7 points a game this season, 76th in the country, and Akron is allowing 39.0 PPG (129th).The Zips rank as the country’s worst team in rushing yards per game (67.3, 131st), while they are 40th in passing yards (272.6).

The Golden Flashes are 110th in passing yards allowed per game (274.3) and 101st against the run (175.1).Kent State is 82nd in the country in passing yards per game (225.9) and 25th in rushing (205.0). Akron’s defense has been most susceptible on the ground, as the Zips are 118th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (193.1). Against the pass, the Zips are 108th (271.7).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through seven games, DJ Irons has thrown for seven touchdowns (3 INT) and 259.4 yards per game to lead Akron in passing. In four away games this season, he has one TD (2 INT) and an average of 262.8 yards passing. DJ Irons also leads the team in rushing with an average of 26.7 yards per game. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Shocky Jacques-Louis is the Zips’ leading receiver with 82.7 yards a game and two TDs.

Collin Schlee has eight passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 221.1 yards per game through seven games to lead Kent State. In two home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs and an average of 298.5 yards. Marquez Cooper has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 101.1 yards a game through seven games. He has eight touchdowns. Dante Cephas has been the primary target in the Golden Flashes’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 98.1 yard per game average through seven appearances.