Akron vs Wake Forest Prediction 9/3/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Akron Zips and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will meet Thursday night in the season opener for both teams at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.

Akron Zips Betting Preview

The Akron Zip finished the 2025 season with a 5–7 overall win-loss record and a 4–4 conference record which ranked sixth in the Mid-America Conference. The Zips amassed a 3-3 home record and a 2-4 mark on the road. Akron head coach Joe Moorhead has amassed a 13-35 record since being hired in 2022. It is noteworthy that Moorhead also handles the offensive play calling for the Zips.

The Akron offense struggled the vast majority of the 2025 season. Let’s dive into the relevant team data to better shed light on my previous statement. The Zips scored 19.9 points per game last season which ranked an abysmal 114th in the nation.   

Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the football, Akron allowed 29.3 points per game, ranking 89th nationally.  The Zips allowed 384.4 total yards per game, including 155.3 rushing yards and 229.2 passing yards.  

Quarterback Ben Finley led the Zips with 2475 passing yards in 2025. With that said, Finley is no longer with the team. In 2026, Akron will turn quarterback Reese Poffenbarger. Poffenbarger has bounced around multiple teams in his college football career, last playing for the North Texas Mean Green last season. I view Poffenbarger as more of a traditional pocket passer with a strong arm. Having stated that, Poffenbarger lacks mobility.

Running back Jordan Gant posted 1,032 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Gant compiled 9 receptions, 48 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. Marcel Williams led the team with 45 receptions, 641 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Grant and Williams will look to improve on those offensive numbers for Akron in 2026.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview

Wake Forest finished last season with a 9–4 overall record and a 4–4 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference which ranked seventh in the conference. The Demon Deacons amassed a 5–2 home record and a 3–2 mark on the road. Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert returns for his second season with the team.

The Demon Deacons scored 26.9 points per game last season, which ranked 63rd in the nation. Wake Forest averaged 381.2 total yards per game, which includes 146.4 rushing yards and 235.1 passing yards per contest. 

Defensively, Wake Forest allowed 23.1 points per game (44th in the nation). The Demon Deacons defense allowed 336.3 total yards per game which ranked 26th in the country.  

Wake Forest will turn to quarterback Gio Lopez in 2026. Lopez started 11 games for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2025. In those 11 contests just noted, Lopez compiled 1,747 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.                                                      

Why the Akron Zips will win.

• Akron improved late last season, winning three of the team’s final four games in 2025.

• The Akron Zips are 6-4 against the spread in the team’s last ten games.

• The Zips have covered the first half point spread in five of their last seven road games.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win.

• The Wake Forest Deamon Deacons have won 10 of the team’s last 11 season openers.

• The Akron Zips amassed a below average record on the road in 2025, compiling a dismal 2-4 record away from home last season.

• Wake Forest has won 7 of their last 9 games straight up on the moneyline.

• The Demon Deacons have covered the spread in eight of the team’s last 10 games.

Akron Zips vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction

In my view, the way to go in this matchup is the total rather a side. Why? Historically, when Wake Forest has hosted heavy underdogs to start the season, the games often turn into low scoring affairs which could clearly be seen in the Demon Deacons rather sluggish 10–9 victory over Kennesaw State in last season’s first game. Akron lost several key players that were responsible for a large portion of the team’s offensive production in 2025. Additionally, Akron will be starting a completely rebuilt offensive line which is concerning when facing a formidable Wake Forest defense on the road. With that said, I am backing under 48.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Under 48.5