Akron vs Ohio State Preview
With their sights set on a national title, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes begin their fateful 2024 season with an in-state opponent.
The Akron Zips head down Interstate 71 to take on the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe for the first time since 2021, and they're hoping to keep the score closer than the 59-7 OSU win three years ago.
Both teams enter with new starting quarterbacks, giving both a new offensive element from last season. Ohio State certainly has the on-paper talent advantage, but we play the games for a reason.
Akron vs Ohio State Prediction
- Akron vs. Ohio State Pick: Ohio State -48.5
My Akron vs Ohio State prediction, pick and best bet is on the Buckeyes on the spread with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live college football odds page. Ohio State's offense, known for its dominance in the Big Ten and bolstered by new talent, is expected to perform exceptionally well under their new coach.
Akron vs Ohio State Odds
| Akron Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+49 -110 | 56 -110 / -110 | +4000 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-49 -110 | 56 -110 / -110 | -50000 |
Akron Betting Preview: Searching for Improvement
Akron enters this season as one of the worst teams in FBS. It went 2-10 last season, and while three of those losses came in overtime, the program has a long way to go.
The Zips' rushing leader and top two wide receivers are no longer with the program. Sure, their replacements may come in and provide a similar level of production, but it's hard to see that showing up in a meaningful way against Ohio State.
Akron head coach Joe Moorhead is a creative offensive mind, and with Cal transfer quarterback Ben Finley set to start, the Zips could be frisky later on in the season. Finley has some starting experience and should be able to hit the ground running once MAC play comes around. But there just isn't any wiggle room against this stingy Buckeyes defense.
Linebackers Antavious Fish and Bryan McCoy headline what is likely the best unit on the team. McCoy led Akron with 95 tackles and Fish finished with 94. Meanwhile, defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV is also back after a team-leading seven sacks last season.
Maybe these guys can help force a punt or two on Saturday, but their true impact will be felt later in the season.
Ohio State Betting Preview: Ground and Pound
This Ohio State squad looks like it will deviate from the high-flying aerial attacks of Buckeye teams from the recent past. The Buckeyes offense, under the new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, is expected to enhance the team's performance, physicality, and scoring ability, particularly against weaker opponents.
For one, Ohio State has a defensive identity. It returns nine starters from a defense that ranked second in points per game allowed and third in yards per game last year. Having that many defensive starters come back is almost unheard of in this era of college football, and it's even more shocking when it's guys who turned down the NFL draft.
This defense is going to be suffocating in its third season under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Heck, the only time the Buckeyes allowed more than 17 points last season was against Michigan, and they should be even better this year.
Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins headline the best backfield in the country. Judkins comes to Ohio State after rushing for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns last season for the Rebels, while Henderson is the mainstay after 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023.
These two will be the featured players for Ohio State, and should both average over 5.0 yards per carry with Kelly calling the plays.
Will Howard provides stability at quarterback after a good career at Kansas State, and he won't be lacking in receiving targets with the return of Emeka Egbuka and the emergence of true freshman Jeremiah Smith.
Akron vs Ohio State Pick & Prediction
Ohio State shouldn't see much resistance in this home opener. The Buckeyes' run-first approach should limit any early-season rust, and their defense likely won't let Akron score even 10 points.
Michigan was the only school to score more than 17 points against Ohio State last season, highlighting the strength of Ohio State's defense.
Another factor to consider is Ohio State not calling off the dogs later in the game because it wants to get game reps for its younger backup quarterbacks.
Even though this is a huge spread, the Buckeyes have the overall talent advantage and defensive experience to walk out of the Horseshoe with a 50-point win.
Take Ohio State to cover against Akron.
Pick: Ohio State -48.5 (Play to -50.5)
How to Watch Akron vs Ohio State Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Columbus, OH |
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS |
