Akron vs. Bowling Green Prediction & Top Betting Picks (November 18, 2025)
The Akron Zips will look to finish their 2025 season strong on Tuesday, although they will be a +138 in their season finale against Bowling Green.
Akron has not been great during a 4-7 season, but they’ve been better of late with two wins and four straight games with 24+ points scored. They’ll hope their recent offensive improvement can power them to a solid finish where FanDuel and other sportsbooks have them as 3.5-point road dogs.
Bowling Green hasn’t fared much better, as they enter as mild home favorites despite struggling to an even worse 3-7 mark in 2025. The Falcons will hope to stop the bleeding as they try to end their current four-game skid.
Not sure who to bet on? I’ll walk you through the latest odds and key matchups, pointing you to the game’s top picks and my ultimate Akron vs. Bowling Green prediction.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Akron Zips (4-7) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (3-7)
- Date & Time: Tuesday, November 18th, with kickoff at 6:00 pm CT (7:00 pm ET)
- Venue: Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, OH
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Betting Odds
Check out the latest Akron vs. Bowling Green odds, per FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Akron | +3.5 (-110) | +138 | Over 47.5 (-110) |
Bowling Green | -3.5 (-110) | -164 | Under 47.5 (-110) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
These two sides have faced off a decent amount, with Tuesday’s clash being their 32nd meeting ever. Bowling Green owns a commanding 21-10 series advantage and has been on a roll (three straight wins) recently.
Bowling Green has been winning regardless of venue, but the last win came in Akron and went down to the wire. The last game played at Doyt L. Perry Stadium was a blowout victory (41-14) for the Falcons, but they’ve gone just 2-2 the last four times these teams faced off in their backyard.
Why This Game Matters
This game has no impact on the MAC title or any bowl games. Both of these teams have seven losses and have nothing to play for but pride.
Both sides will still want to win, as the Zips have been in solid form and Bowling Green wouldn’t mind putting an end to their current losing streak. Bragging rights will also be on the line, while Akron also would like to steal a win from Bowling Green for the first time since 2021.
Team Profiles
Akron Zips
The Zips have not been a very productive offensive team on the season (110th in scoring), and their defense hasn’t done them any favors.
While true, Akron has really upped their offensive play of late, and they do have some key areas where they excel in overall.
- Lean on Gant: Star running back Jordan Gant hasn’t always had the opportunity to carry the team, but he’s been one of Akron’s most productive players and has 92+ rushing yards in each of their last five outings.
- Air Attack: Akron can let it fly at times, as quarterback Ben Finley has enjoyed a solid season (2,299 passing yards, 18 TDs), and is coming off a huge 424-yard and 3-TD outing.
- Red-Zone Monster: The Zips have not been prolific at scoring this year, but their red-zone defense has raised some eyebrows. They come into this game ranked 13th at stopping teams inside the 20.
Bowling Green Falcons
Bowling Green is in very poor form, having dropped four straight and failed to score more than 21 points in any of those losses. They are even worse than Akron on the year, but offer a better defense and a more reliable ground game.
Here are a few key areas where they stand out going into Tuesday:
- Run the Ball: The Falcons really like to run the ball, as they call run plays at the 33rd highest rate. That volume leads to the nation’s 72nd best ground game, although the production is rather spread out.
- Opportunistic Defense: The Falcons do a solid job at forcing turnovers, as they collect 1.3 per game – good for 54th in the country.
- When in Position: Since their offense isn’t super reliable, it’s good that they have a strong kicking game. The Falcons can take advantage of favorable field position thanks to a nice field goal conversation rate (84.62%), which ranks 40th in college football.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key matchups:
- Akron’s Red-Zone D vs. Bowling Green’s Red-Zone O: This may be the biggest matchup of this game, as Akron’s RZ defense is elite, but Bowling Green’s RZ scoring is the only thing their offense has going for it.
- Akron’s passing game vs. Bowling Green’s pass defense: The Zips pass more than they run and they’re not half bad at it (75th), while they’ve been even better in recent weeks. The Falcons (51st) are capable against the pass, however.
- Bowling Green’s rush offense vs. Akron’s run defense: The Falcons love to run the ball and even though they aren’t elite at it, they still grind out 147.3 yards per game. This is their ticket to success in this game, as Akron allows 4.5 yards per carry and 155.9 yards per game on the ground.
Betting Insights & Trends
Akron has been slightly better (5-6) against the spread on the year, but they are just 4-5 against the spread as the underdog and 2-3 ATS as the road team.
Bowling Green has gone 4-6 against the spread in 2025, while they are 0-4 ATS when favored and 2-3 against the spread at home.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out my favorite Akron vs. Bowling Green picks:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
Akron ML (+138) | The Zips have looked rock solid over their past several games and look like the better team. They’ll also be eager to end their season on a high note against a rival they haven’t beaten since 2021. | 7/10 |
Over 47.5 (-110) | Neither offense is particularly reliable, but Akron has been in strong form lately and these defenses allow a combined 58.5 points per game. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Akron ML (+138)
- Secondary Pick: Over 47.5 (-110)
The Zips have looked far more cohesive lately. Their defense is worse, but they also offer enough value as +138 underdogs for bettors to pounce on them.
The Over is in play when you factor in Akron’s recent offensive form and both defenses being unable to consistently stop opponents from scoring.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
Sometimes even the best wagers can fall short. Here are some reasons why Akron vs. Bowling Green picks could miss:
- Still Bad: Akron looks better than Bowling Green, but they are still not a reliable team. Their 4-7 record is a perfect representation of the risk you’re taking.
- No Defense: The Zips have really come around offensively, but they still can’t stop anyone. They could easily make Bowling Green look amazing in this matchup.
- Poor Offense: These teams have elite matchups on the table, but neither offense averages even 20 points per game on the season. It’s entirely possible they both struggle in a low-scoring affair.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Akron 33, Bowling Green 30
This is still a MAC game and neither defense can stop a nosebleed, so I think we’re in for a bit of a shootout. The game total is fairly modest despite both defenses struggling immensely, while Akron’s offense has taken flight over the last four games, too.
Akron is the flat out better team across the board. They have a worse defense, but that feels like a wash here. Look for the Zips to put up points and set the tone in this spot, forcing Bowling Green to work hard to keep up.
Ultimately, Akron is the more attractive play, as they look to close out their year with a win – and end their skid against Bowling Green at the same time.
