Akron vs Minnesota Prediction 9/19/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Akron Zips and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet in week 3 college football action from Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Akron Zips vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction.

Akron Zips Recap

The Akron Zips come into this game looking to build on a 45-10 win over Robert Morris last time out to improve to 1-1 on the year. After this game, Akron will head home for a game against UNLV.

Zips Looking For Upset To Add On To First W Of Season

Cibastian Broughton has thrown for 338 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions on 83.0% passing while Cibastian Broughton leads the Zips in rushing with 153 rushing yards and 0 touchdowns so far this season. One more Zip has at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Sean Patrick who has 100 yards and 0 TDs while Sean Patrick leads Akron in receiving with 76 receiving yards and 6 catches to lead Akron along with 1 touchdown as well this season. On defense, Donelius Johnson has a team-high 15 total tackles in addition to 0 sacks while Akron’s defense as a whole has combined for 1 sack and 0 interceptions so far this season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recap

The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this game looking to shake off a 38-13 loss at the hands of Mississippi State last time out to fall to 1-1 on the year. After this game, Minnesota will head west for a game against Washington.

Gophers Looking For Bounce Back Performance

Drake Lindsey has thrown for 543 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions on 69.4% passing while Darius Taylor leads the Golden Gophers in rushing with 71 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season. Zero more Golden Gophers have at least 100 rushing yards as well this season including Xavier Ford who has 22 yards and 1 TD while Javon Tracy leads Minnesota in receiving with 149 receiving yards and 12 catches to lead Minnesota along with 0 touchdowns as well this season. On defense, Maverick Baranowski has a team-high 15 total tackles in addition to 0 sacks while Minnesota’s defense as a whole has combined for 2 sacks and 0 interceptions so far this season.

Akron Zips @ Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends: Week 3

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Akron has lost each of its last 18 road games against non-conference opponents.
• Minnesota has won 32 of its last 36 games against non-conference opponents at Huntington Bank Stadium.
• Minnesota has covered the spread in four of its last five games.
• Akron has lost the first half in 24 of its last 25 September games as an underdog.

Why the Akron Zips will win

• Minnesota has lost three of its last four games against teams from Ohio.
• Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference at Huntington Bank Stadium.
• Akron has covered the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Akron has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Minnesota has lost the first half in each of its last four games against teams from Ohio.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Akron’s last four games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference have gone OVER the total points line.
• Five of Minnesota’s last six games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference at Huntington Bank Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Player Prop Facts

• Drake Lindsey has thrown zero interceptions in seven consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.

Akron Zips Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 3, Sean Patrick ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Minnesota ranks 134th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (80.0).
• Minnesota ranks T116th among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (17.5).
• Akron ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
• Akron ranks T128th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (14.0).

Akron Zips vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction

I’m on Minnesota in this one. I just think this one has butt kicking written all over it as Minnesota’s out for blood after being humiliated at home and this gives them an opportunity to take out some frustration before locking in for the rigors of Big Ten play. Akron is just overmatched here even though the Zips have shown glimpses of improvement and I think the Gophers win in a beatdown. Give me Minnesota.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Minnesota -23.5