The Akron Zips and Auburn Tigers meet Saturday in their season opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and the game can be viewed on ESPN+. Below, we look at the Akron at Auburn odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Zips won just one of their six games inside the MAC last season, so facing an SEC team on the road certainly isn’t optimal. Akron makes its first foray into SEC country since a 28-3 loss to South Carolina in 2018.
Auburn turns to head coach Bryan Harsin to lead the way. Perhaps he can unlock the potential of QB Bo Nix. We might also see LSU transfer QB T.J. Finley getting a chance to run the show. The fact the Tigers lost their top three wideouts from 2020 certainly doesn’t help, so expect Auburn to lean on RB Tank Bigsby early on.
The Tigers spanked the Zips 42-0 in the only previous meeting between these schools in 1988.
Akron at Auburn odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:35 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Akron +1700 (bet $100 to win $1,700) | Auburn -100000 (bet $100,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Akron +37.5 (-105) | Auburn -37.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 55.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Akron at Auburn odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Auburn 45, Akron 6
Money line
There is no way to justify risking $100 for every 10 cents won, so AVOID playing Auburn (-100000), and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
AUBURN -37.5 (-115) is a bit on the risky side, mostly because of its struggling offense. The Tigers need to be better in 2021, and hopefully Harsin can bring the magic he had working with quarterbacks at Boise State.
The Auburn defense held the opposition to just 24.7 points per game last season, and the Zips will have a difficult time trying to solve that unit.
Over/Under
UNDER 55.5 (-108) is the play, mostly because of Akron’s struggles on offense, and Auburn’s sturdy defense. Those are the two biggest reasons not to roll the dice and go Over.
Plus, we really need to see a big improvement from the Auburn pass game before counting on the Tigers to start ticking off Over results.
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