Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Akron Zips Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 12

Rynearson Stadium is the venue where the Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-6) will take on the Akron Zips (2-8) on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The Eagles are the favorites (-5) in their game versus the Zips, with the over/under being 39 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Eagles are -222 and the Zips are +182.)

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Game Info for Eastern Michigan vs. Akron

• Game Day: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
• Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
• Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Stadium: Rynearson Stadium

Eastern Michigan Pick Insights

• Eastern Michigan has a 5-4-0 record against the spread this season.
• In games it has played as at least 5-point favorites this season, Eastern Michigan is 1-1 against the spread.
• The teams have hit the over in four of Eastern Michigan’s nine games with a set total.

Eastern Michigan Stats & Insights

• While Eastern Michigan ranks 88th in total defense with 394.1 yards allowed per game, the team’s offensive unit has been a little less successful, ranking second-worst (260.1 yards per game).
• Eastern Michigan ranks 14th-worst in scoring offense (19 points per game), but has played slightly better on defense, ranking 59th with 25 points allowed per game.
• Eastern Michigan ranks ninth-worst in passing offense (154.8 passing yards per game), but thas played slightly better on defense, ranking 36th with 204.9 passing yards allowed per game.
• With 105.3 offensive rushing yards per game (17th-worst) and 189.2 rushing yards allowed per game on defense (10th-worst), Eastern Michigan has been getting outplayed on both sides of the ball this year in the running game.
• Eastern Michigan is putting up a 34.6% third-down conversion rate on offense, which ranks them 107th in the FBS. On defense, the defense ranks 54th, surrendering a 37.1% third-down percentage.
• With 15 forced turnovers (49th in the FBS) against 14 turnovers committed (67th in the FBS), Eastern Michigan’s +1+1 turnover margin ranks 55th in college football.

Eastern Michigan’s Best Players

• Austin Smith has thrown for 1,420 yards (142 ypg) to lead Eastern Michigan, completing 55.2% of his passes and collecting seven touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 121 rushing yards on 88 carries with one rushing touchdown.
• Jaylon Jackson has 456 rushing yards on 97 carries with two touchdowns. He’s also tacked on 18 catches for 200 yards (20 per game) and one touchdown via the passing game.
• Samson Evans has carried the ball 105 times for 437 yards (43.7 per game) and eight touchdowns.
• Tanner Knue’s leads his squad with 393 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 40 catches (out of 69 targets) and scored three touchdowns.
• JB Mitchell III has caught 26 passes for 308 yards (30.8 yards per game) and one touchdown this year.
• Hamze Elzayat has been the target of 35 passes and racked up 19 receptions for 278 yards, an average of 27.8 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone two times through the air this season.
• Mikah Coleman has racked up four sacks to lead the team, while also recording four TFL and 22 tackles.
• Eastern Michigan’s top-tackler, Joseph Sparacio, has 63 tackles, one TFL, and two sacks this year.
• Bennett Walker leads the team with three interceptions, while also putting up 12 tackles and three passes defended.

Akron Betting Insights

• Akron is 3-5-1 against the spread this season.
• Akron is a 3-3 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 5 points or more this year.
• In Akron’s nine games with a set total, four have hit the over (44.4%).

Akron Pick Insights

• Akron’s offense has been bottom-25 in total offense this season, posting 283.7 total yards per game, which ranks fifth-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, it ranks 30th with 331.8 total yards allowed per contest.
• Akron’s offense has been bottom-25 this season, generating 15.4 points per game, which ranks second-worst in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 85th with 28.1 points allowed per contest.
• Akron has been thriving on pass defense, surrendering just 182.5 passing yards per game (17th-best). Offensively, it ranks 99th in the FBS by piling up 197.3 passing yards per game.
• Akron’s running game has been sputtering, ranking fifth-worst in the FBS with 86.4 rushing yards per game. It has been more effective on defense, allowing 149.3 rushing yards per contest (67th-ranked).
• Akron’s offense has been struggling on third down, ranking eighth-worst in the FBS with a 30.4% third-down conversion percentage. It has been more productive on defense, giving up a 35.5% third-down rate (40th-ranked).
• Akron has forced 11 turnovers this season and have turned the ball over 20 times, resulting in a -9 turnover margin that is seventh-worst in the FBS.

Akron’s Best Players

• Jeff Undercuffler has racked up 1,044 yards on 60% passing while collecting four touchdown passes with eight interceptions this season.
• Lorenzo Lingard has been handed the ball 111 times for a team-high 541 yards (54.1 per game) with three touchdowns. He also leads the team through the air, as his 28 receptions this season are good for 287 yards, and he’s scored one touchdown in the passing game.
• DJ Iron has racked up 215 yards on 61 carries with two touchdowns.
• Jasaiah Gathings’ 444 receiving yards (44.4 yards per game) are best on his team. He has 42 catches on 70 targets with one touchdown.
• Daniel George has 43 receptions (on 79 targets) for a total of 425 yards (42.5 yards per game) and one touchdown this year.
• CJ Nunnally has collected seven sacks to pace the team, while also recording 11 TFL and 42 tackles.
• Akron’s leading tackler, Bryan McCoy, has 57 tackles, three TFL, and one sack this year.
• Devonte Golden-Nelson leads the team with two interceptions, while also recording 12 tackles and two passes defended.