The Akron Zips and Bowling Green Falcons are set to clash in a pivotal Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. Both teams enter the game with 4-7 records, making this contest crucial for their postseason aspirations.
Team Analysis
Akron
- Season Overview and Recent Form: The Zips have shown resilience, winning two of their last three games. Their most recent outing was a narrow 42-35 overtime loss to Kent State, where quarterback Ben Finley threw for 424 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Jordan Gant added 96 rushing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Marcel Williams also had a standout performance with 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
- Offensive Performance: Akron averages 22.5 points per game, ranking 104th nationally. They are more effective through the air, with 222.9 passing yards per game (74th) compared to 134.7 rushing yards per game (96th). Finley has accumulated 2,299 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions this season. Gant leads the ground attack with 946 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
- Defensive Performance: Defensively, Akron allows 28.5 points per game (95th). They concede 237.5 passing yards per game (97th) and 157.8 rushing yards per game (88th). Linebacker Shammond Cooper leads the team with 53 tackles, while defensive lineman Bruno Dall has recorded four sacks.
Bowling Green
- Season Overview and Recent Form: The Falcons have struggled recently, losing four consecutive games, including a 27-21 defeat to Eastern Michigan. In that game, quarterback Hunter Najm completed 11 of 15 passes for 129 yards, while running back Austyn Dendy contributed 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Jyrin Johnson added 36 receiving yards and a touchdown.
- Offensive Performance: Bowling Green averages 18.5 points per game (125th). Their passing attack is modest, with 154.9 yards per game (124th), while the rushing game averages 145.3 yards per game (81st). Najm has thrown for 882 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions this season. Running back Chris McMillian leads the team with 341 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
- Defensive Performance: Defensively, Bowling Green allows 25.8 points per game (78th). They give up 202.1 passing yards per game (44th) and 148.5 rushing yards per game (75th). Linebacker Gideon Lampron leads the team with 100 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss.
Key Matchup Factors
- Head-to-Head History: In their last four matchups, Bowling Green has won three times against Akron. The Zips have covered the spread in three of those games and have outscored the total in three occasions. Overall, Akron has been outscored by 22 points in its last four games against Bowling Green.
- Important Player Matchups:
– Akron’s Passing Attack vs. Bowling Green’s Secondary: Finley’s strong performance against Kent State suggests he could exploit Bowling Green’s secondary, which has struggled against the pass. – Gant vs. Lampron: Gant’s rushing prowess will be tested against Lampron’s leadership in the Falcons’ defense.
- Injuries and News:
– Akron: Wide receiver Myles Walker is listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury. – Bowling Green: Quarterback Lucian Anderson III and running back Cameron Pettaway are both questionable with undisclosed injuries.
- Home/Away Performance: Bowling Green is hosting the game at Doyt Perry Stadium, where they have historically performed well against Akron.
Betting Analysis
- Spread Analysis: The current spread favors Bowling Green by 3.0 points. Considering Akron’s recent offensive surge and Bowling Green’s struggles, Akron appears to have a slight edge.
- Total (Over/Under) Analysis: The over/under is set at 46.5. Both teams have shown offensive capabilities, but also defensive vulnerabilities. This suggests a moderately high-scoring game.
- Best Value Opportunities: Betting on Akron to cover the spread or even win outright offers potential value, given their recent form and Bowling Green’s injury concerns.
Prediction
Given Akron’s recent offensive performances and Bowling Green’s defensive inconsistencies, the Zips are well-positioned to cover the spread and potentially secure a victory. Their passing attack, led by Finley and Williams, could exploit the Falcons’ secondary, while Gant’s rushing ability may challenge Lampron’s defense. Considering these factors, Akron is the recommended pick for this matchup.
Join Wannamakeabet.com today. Join our monthly “All Sports” Betting League Championship today where you bet points instead of real money on all the major pro sports (NFL, College Football, NBA, NHL, MLB). We’ll put you into a league and give you a bankroll of 50,000 points so you can bet on every game on the board. And you get 50,000 more points every week. Whomever has the most points at the end of the league is the winner and wins real cash based on how many players join! Join today, it’s free!