Categories
NCAA Football

Akron vs. Cincinnati Week 3 Gambling Preview & Pick

On Saturday September 17th, 2011 its the Week 3 Akron Zips vs. Cincinnati Bearcats matchup. Odds currently have the Bearcats listed as 34-point favorites, the game’s total has not been posted. Here is a betting preview and matchup handicapping tips…

Big East NCAA Football Previews- Akron Zips vs Cincinnati Bearcats

The Akron Zips, out of the Mid American Conference, will try and avoid three straight losses to start the season when they travel to Nippert Stadium for a matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats, from the Big East, this Saturday afternoon.

Date/Time: Saturday, Sept.17   3:30 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Broadcast: ESPN3.com
Zips at Bearcats lines by BetOnline.com
Point spread: Bearcats -34
Over/Under: OFF

Click here for the ATS Gambling Report for this game!

Kick-off in this one is slated for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be available on ESPN3.com.

It has been a rough start for Akron this season with losses to Ohio State and Temple by a combined score of 83-3. It was shutout 42-0 by the Buckeyes in the season opener as a 31.5-point road underdog and hammered by the Owls 41-3 as a 15-point home underdog. Both games stayed ‘under’ the total.

The Zips lack of offense in their first two games is an understatement as they are currently ranked near the bottom of D-IA in just about every major category. The only bright spot has been wide receiver Marquelo Suel, who has 110 yards receiving on just five catches.

Cincinnati had little problem in its season opener with a 72-10 pasting of D-IAA Austin Peay as a 41-point home favorite. It was a totally different story last week as the Bearcats were on the receiving end of a 45-23 pounding by Tennessee as four-point road underdogs. The total went ‘over’ in both of these games. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

They actually hung with the Volunteers through the first quarter in a 14-14 tie, but their defense had no answer for a Tennessee attack that racked up a total of 531 yards of total offense. Bearcat quarterback Zach Collaros responded with 230 yards passing and two touchdown and running back Isaiah Pead added 155 yards on the ground, but it was not nearly enough to keep pace with the Vols.

These two teams have met twice in the past five seasons with Cincinnati winning both by a closer than expected margin. In 2008, the Bearcats squeaked out a 17-15 victory as 12-point road favorites and in 2006 they won 20-14 as 4.5-point home favorites.

Look for Akron to come out with a bit more zip in its game and while it will once again come up well short on the scoreboard, it still finds enough offense to cover the 34-point spread.

Betting Trends:

AKR are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games in September.
AKR are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games overall.
AKR are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
CIN are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

The Pick: Cincinnati 38     Akron 13

The 2011 CFB Season is finally here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com college football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly college football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, CFB gambling articles and more to help you become the best College football bettor on your block!!

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS ALL SEASON LONG —–>

By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.