The Akron Zips (2-9, 1-6 MAC) meet the Buffalo Bulls (5-6, 4-3) Friday at UB Stadium in Buffalo. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Akron vs. Buffalo odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Zips snapped a 9-game skid with a 44-12 win at Northern Illinois Saturday as a 9.5-point underdog. It was Akron’s first victory of the season against an FBS team. The Zips are a respectable 5-2-1 ATS across the past 8 games overall.
The Bulls need a victory to secure bowl eligibility in this makeup game due to the massive snowstorm in western New York.
Buffalo blew a chance to lock up a bowl bid last time out, falling 30-27 in overtime against Kent State Saturday. It was UB’s 3rd consecutive loss and non-cover after a 5-game win and cover streak.
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Akron at Buffalo odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Akron +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Buffalo -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Akron +11 (-110) | Buffalo -11 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 55 (O: -113 | U: -107)
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Akron at Buffalo picks and predictions
Prediction
Buffalo 32, Akron 25
Moneyline
Buffalo (-450) will cost you 4 1/2 times your potential return, which is a little too expensive for a team coming in on a 3-game losing skid.
Akron picked up a surprising 32-point win last time out against NIU, and the pressure is all on UB. The Bulls are desperate for a win, trying to secure bowl eligibility in a make-up game on a Friday afternoon, while the Zips will be carefree and just playing with no pressure at all. It’s a dangerous spot for UB.
PASS.
Against the spread
AKRON +11 (-110) is worth a look in this rare Friday afternoon game.
The Zips rolled up 200 rushing yards and 312 passing yards last week at NIU, and it’s a bad time for Akron to play its best game of the season, at least for Buffalo. The Bulls have frittered away the past 3 chances to lock up a 6th overall win and bowl eligibility. This is it, and UB could be a little tight.
However, you will be going against the series trends as Akron is 0-4 ATS in the past 4 meetings overall and 0-5 ATS in the past 5 trips to Buffalo.
Over/Under
An OVER 55 (-113) play is the lean here, but go lightly.
The Over is 10-4 in the past 14 games on the road for the Zips, while going 4-1 in the past 5 appearances on a Friday, too.
For the Bulls, the Over has hit in 4 in a row, 5 of the past 6 home games and is 4-0 in their past 4 inside the MAC.
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