Free NCAA Football Prediction: Zips vs. Volunteers Odds
Looking for Akron Zips vs. Tennessee Volunteers free picks? College football betting sees the Zips taking on the Volunteers on Saturday, September 17th at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 3 predictions like this Akron-Tennessee free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 3
(1-1) Akron Zips vs. Tennessee Volunteers (2-0)
Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm EST
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: AKR +47.5 | TENN -47.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Zips +4000 | Volunteers -10000
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 57.5
The Akron Zips will travel to Knoxville and take on the Tennessee Volunteers from Neyland Stadium this Saturday on ESPN+. The Volunteers will open as huge 47-point favorites at home here, with the total opening at 67.5.
HISTORY: Tennessee and Akron have only met on two previous occasions, with the most recent coming in 2012, a 47-26 victory for the Vols.
Akron Zips
Akron opened their season by escaping with an overtime victory over St. Francis (PA) at home, but the Zips went for a ride last weekend in East Lansing. Last week, Akron was shut out by Michigan State, 52-0, failing to capitalize on the generous 34-point underdog spread.
The availability of quarterback DJ Irons will go along way in determining if the Zips can do something with this blowout 47-point spread. Irons brings the dual-threat element to the quarterback spot, and he performed well in the opener against SFU, passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
He was pulled halfway through last weekend’s game against MSU due to injury and replaced by Jeff Undercuffler Jr., who surrendered five sacks. If Irons is out and Undercuffler Jr. is in, it will be a very long day for Akron.
Irons’ is a big part of the run game as well, and his absence would mean more touches for Cam Wiley. The Minnesota transfer performed well in the opener versus the Red Flash, going for 85 rushing yards and scoring twice. He gained 42 yards last week against Sparty, but could find himself at the Vols mercy this Saturday night.
Shockey Jacques-Louis came over from Pitt and took on the number one role early, catching a career-high eight passes for 102 receiving yards. Daniel George has caught four passes in each of the first two games, totaling 112 yards.
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee looks as real as ever heading into SEC play, and with the final Saturday in September looming, look for them to keep things going here. Tennessee dispatched Ball State in their home opener, covering a huge 36-point spread with room to spare. The Vols traveled up to Pittsburgh last Saturday and delivered.
Last weekend, Tennessee defeated Pitt on the road, 34-27, covering in a hostile environment.
Hendon Hooker has finally put it all together and he’s set to return the Vols to glory. Hooker came down I-81 over from Virginia Tech, and put together one of the best statistical seasons in school history at the position. Hooker’s picked up right where he left off, totaling four touchdowns in the opener against Ball State, then tossing for 325 yards in the win over Pitt.
Hooker’s a gamer with a ton of experience (29 starts), who’s just getting started this season. The fifth-year senior is up to 546 passing yards with four touchdowns, and 39 rushing yards with two scores on the season thus far.
Jabari Smith and Jaylen Wright returned after splitting touches last season. Small led the Vols with 612 rushing yards last season, and he’s scored in both games this season. Wright leads the team early with 135 yards on the ground after a strong 88-yard performance against Ball State.
The ground game has been successful, and so has the passing game. Hooker has distributed the ball well early, and Cedric TIllman has jumped out to a fast start. Tillman eclipsed the 1000-yard mark last season with a big Music CIty Bowl performance, and he somehow topped that outing against Pitt last weekend, posting career-highs in catches (9) and yards (162).
Tillman is up to a team-lead 15 catches and 230 receiving yards for the season. Highly-touted USC transfer Bru McCoy has made his presence felt early, scoring his first touchdown as a Vol versus Pitt last weekend. Jalin Hyatt caught a career-high eleven passes last weekend, and scored in win over Ball State.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- TENN are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- AKR are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Volunteers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
- Zips are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
Akron really has a lot of points to play with here, but they’ll be heading into a deep sea of Orange with questions at the quarterback position. Volunteer fans have something to be excited about this season, and with Florida set to come to town next weekend, Neyland Stadium will be the place to be this Fall. Although Hendon Hooker’s 30th career start should go pretty well, 67 is a very high number. In what should be a one-sided battle, I like testing the under here. It’ll be more about the Vols not scoring 60+ then considering Akron’s potential output.
Take the under for Tennessee’s second pending beat down of the MAC this season.
4* Free Week 3 NCAA Betting Pick: Under 67.5
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