The Akron Zips (0-0) will visit the #19 Oklahoma Sooners (0-0) on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The game will air at 7 pm ET. The current odds list Oklahoma as a 31.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 57.5.
Kyle Pohl will return to the Zips as starting quarterback. He threw for over 2,000 yards and added nine touchdowns along with eight interceptions. He managed to complete 54 percent of his passes. Conor Hundley will play the starting role at running back where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry while splitting time with Jawon Chisholm who is no longer with the team. He will look to build on his 540 yards he posted last season. The Zips have a solid defense that will try to keep them close in the big games. The Zips are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games on grass.
Samaje Perine returns at running back after rushing for over 1700 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014. They will once again look for another repeat performance from the sophomore. Trevor Knight will take the snaps again after throwing for 2300 yards and adding 14 touchdowns along with 12 interceptions last season. Oklahoma will bring a solid run defense to the table but is lacking in the secondary leaving them vulnerable to the pass. The Sooners are 5-0 ATS in their last five games in September.
My Prediction: Akron +31.5
Akron is not a terrible team. They are by no means anywhere near the caliber that Oklahoma is but I think they can stay within four touchdowns. Akron’s defense should be able to hold their own and keep Oklahoma from scoring 50 points. Therefore, I think Akron can put up 20 points of their own to stay within the spread. This will be a good first game for Oklahoma to find their legs before the challenging games come. I will take the points in this one.