Akron vs Rutgers Prediction College Football Picks 9/7/24

The Akron Zips and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet in week 2 college football action from SHI Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Akron vs. Rutgers prediction.

Akron Recap

The Akron Zips come into this one looking to spring the upset for their first win of the season after taking one on the chin in a 52-6 loss to Ohio State last time out. After this game, Akron heads home to welcome FCS Colgate to town before heading back out on the road to SEC Country against South Carolina.

Zips Do Exactly That Against Buckeyes

Tahj Bullock threw for 68 yards on 9 of 13 passing while Ben Finley threw for 53 yards and an interception on 8 of 14 passing and Brayden Roggow had an interception as well. Bullock also rushed for a team-high 42 yards while Jake Newell had a team-high 41 receiving yards. Bobby Golden added 3 grabs for 32 yards while Jordon Simmons added a team-high 4 catches for 25 yards in the loss. On defense, Daymon David led the Akron unit with 6 total tackles including 5 solo tackles in the losing effort.

Why the Akron Zips will win

• Rutgers has lost six of its last seven matches at SHI Stadium when playing with a rest advantage.
• Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games at SHI Stadium.
• Akron has covered the spread in four of its last five road games against non-conference opponents.

Rutgers Recap

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will try to keep the momentum up after routing the Howard Bison in their season-opening 44-7 victory. After this matchup, Rutgers will have a bye week before heading to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech.

Scarlet Knights Stifle Howard

Athan Kaliakmanis threw for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 of 24 passing while Kyle Monangai added a team-high 165 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Samuel Brown V added 68 rushing yards on 14 carries while Antwan Raymond added 49 rushing yards and a score. Dymere Miller led the Scarlet Knights in receiving with 4 grabs for 37 yards and a touchdown while Brown V added a 34-yard receiving TD and Kenny Fletcher chipped in 4 catches of his own for 31 yards and a TD. On defense, Dariel Djabome led the Scarlet Knights with 14 total tackles while Jordan Walker added a sack and Eric Rogers had a 52-yard pick-six in the win.

Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win

• Akron has lost each of its last 13 road games against non-conference opponents.
• Rutgers has won each of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
• Rutgers has covered the spread in each of its last nine September games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Akron has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Akron vs. Rutgers Prediction

I’m on the under here. I do think that Rutgers wins by a fair margin here, but laying just over three touchdowns is asking to be let down with a backdoor cover if the Scarlet Knights were to win by something like 24-7 or 28-7 which is definitely a possibility. I don’t think Akron will break through here as Rutgers is just as tough of a defense in their own right and I think we’re going to have a low-scoring battle ahead. Give me the under.