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I’m going with Kent State –7 today, really like the Golden Eagles to cover the number here. I’ve read all the trends and stats that favor Akron, and I know Kent State hasn’t covered against this team in a while but I like it to happen today.
Both of these teams will throw the ball but I honestly give the advantage to Kent State here because their QB Joshua Cribbs is not only a good passer but this kid can run (he led them in rushing yardage, attempts, and TDs last season). The Golden Eagles also have the more experienced receiving core with their top 2 WRs from last year back in Pruden and Dowery. Honestly, I don’t think the Akron secondary is that good. They managed to give up 300+ passing yards to Middle Tennessee at home 2 weeks ago (I won’t really go into the Penn State and Virginia games because of the obvious step-up in talent).
Now before everyone starts to cry out that Charlie Frye will torch the Golden Eagles for yardage like he has in the past, let me say I’ve considered that. However, the Zips lost their top 3 receivers from last season, and I think it shows a bit in Frye’s 2-4 TD-INT ratio so far in this early season. While Frye has completed 68% of his passes, he hasn’t found the end zone a whole lot. In last season’s meeting, Frye threw for over 400 yards BUT the top 4 receivers for that game (not the mention the players who caught Frye’s 3 TDs that day) are all gone. The Zips in my opinion just don’t have the experience to fully utilize Frye’s passing ability.
After analyzing the offenses for these teams, I’d call it pretty close to a wash. Logically the next thing is to look at their respective defenses. Both teams will give up their fair share of passing yards, but I like the more experienced Kent State secondary (they’ve got 6 guys back with starting experience from last season). I’ll admit, the Kent State starting corners are a bit young, but SS Patrick and FS Davis are both seniors and should lead well. Akron’s secondary lost its best player in CB stud Rickey McKenzie (6 INTS last season, they guy made some plays), along with opposite starter CB Jesse Smith. A move that has hurt the defensive backfield is the Zips decision to move big Domenik Hixon from safety to WR. IMO, it could be a sign of a desperate need for help at receiving when you move your leading tackler from the previous season into a new position.
Like I said, both teams will give up some passing yardage but the difference I see is in rushing yardage. In their first three games, the Zips have given up an average of 247 yards on the ground at a whopping average of 6.6 yards a carry. Kent State meanwhile does give up 155 rushing yards a game, but they hold their opponents to 3.3 yards a carry. Neither of these teams run the ball well (Akron averages 1.9 yards a carry to Kent State’s 2.3) but at least Kent State doesn’t give up half a first down every run. I don’t completely buy into these rushing stats, because Akron played Penn State and Virginia in 2 of those…but in the one game they played a team without a huge rushing attack (Middle Tenn.) their secondary got torn a new one. Kent State has played one big opponent (Iowa) and managed to hold Iowa’s young workhorse RB Albert Young to 82 yards on 22 carries and more importantly didn’t give up any super super big plays (I’m referring to any 50-60 yard dashes).
Basically I like both teams to get their share of yards, but in the end I look for the Akron defense to breakdown more and the Kent State defense to make more plays.
Score prediction: Akron 17 – Kent State 28
Both of these teams will throw the ball but I honestly give the advantage to Kent State here because their QB Joshua Cribbs is not only a good passer but this kid can run (he led them in rushing yardage, attempts, and TDs last season). The Golden Eagles also have the more experienced receiving core with their top 2 WRs from last year back in Pruden and Dowery. Honestly, I don’t think the Akron secondary is that good. They managed to give up 300+ passing yards to Middle Tennessee at home 2 weeks ago (I won’t really go into the Penn State and Virginia games because of the obvious step-up in talent).
Now before everyone starts to cry out that Charlie Frye will torch the Golden Eagles for yardage like he has in the past, let me say I’ve considered that. However, the Zips lost their top 3 receivers from last season, and I think it shows a bit in Frye’s 2-4 TD-INT ratio so far in this early season. While Frye has completed 68% of his passes, he hasn’t found the end zone a whole lot. In last season’s meeting, Frye threw for over 400 yards BUT the top 4 receivers for that game (not the mention the players who caught Frye’s 3 TDs that day) are all gone. The Zips in my opinion just don’t have the experience to fully utilize Frye’s passing ability.
After analyzing the offenses for these teams, I’d call it pretty close to a wash. Logically the next thing is to look at their respective defenses. Both teams will give up their fair share of passing yards, but I like the more experienced Kent State secondary (they’ve got 6 guys back with starting experience from last season). I’ll admit, the Kent State starting corners are a bit young, but SS Patrick and FS Davis are both seniors and should lead well. Akron’s secondary lost its best player in CB stud Rickey McKenzie (6 INTS last season, they guy made some plays), along with opposite starter CB Jesse Smith. A move that has hurt the defensive backfield is the Zips decision to move big Domenik Hixon from safety to WR. IMO, it could be a sign of a desperate need for help at receiving when you move your leading tackler from the previous season into a new position.
Like I said, both teams will give up some passing yardage but the difference I see is in rushing yardage. In their first three games, the Zips have given up an average of 247 yards on the ground at a whopping average of 6.6 yards a carry. Kent State meanwhile does give up 155 rushing yards a game, but they hold their opponents to 3.3 yards a carry. Neither of these teams run the ball well (Akron averages 1.9 yards a carry to Kent State’s 2.3) but at least Kent State doesn’t give up half a first down every run. I don’t completely buy into these rushing stats, because Akron played Penn State and Virginia in 2 of those…but in the one game they played a team without a huge rushing attack (Middle Tenn.) their secondary got torn a new one. Kent State has played one big opponent (Iowa) and managed to hold Iowa’s young workhorse RB Albert Young to 82 yards on 22 carries and more importantly didn’t give up any super super big plays (I’m referring to any 50-60 yard dashes).
Basically I like both teams to get their share of yards, but in the end I look for the Akron defense to breakdown more and the Kent State defense to make more plays.
Score prediction: Akron 17 – Kent State 28