Akron Zips vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, 9/19/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Akron Zips vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Gophers (-25.5)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-1) will play the Akron Zips (1-1) at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Akron opens this contest as 25.5-point dogs from oddsmakers. The over/under has been set at 48.5.

The Akron Zips come into this game with a record of 1-1 this season. In their last contest, the Zips stepped onto the field against the Robert Morris Colonials and took home the win by a score of 45-10. The Akron Zips rushed the ball a total of 39 times and tallied 241 yards, which had them averaging 6.2 yards per tote. For the game, they ran 72 plays which totaled 523 yds. Akron relinquished 20 pass completions on 30 attempts for 180 yards, and a completion percentage of 66.7%. When it came to stopping the run, the Zips gave up 14 yds on 19 tries, which averages out to 0.7 yds per rush allowed.

In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the Akron Zips have an average of 30.5 points per outing. As a unit they are averaging 195.0 yards rushing which is 45th in Division 1. The Zips have earned 828 yards in total over the course of this season. When it comes to scoring, Akron has amassed 6 touchdowns via the pass and 2 touchdowns via the ground. Akron has 48 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 13 infractions for 103 yds. They have turned the football over 2 different times.

Concerning passing yardage, the Zips have given up 536 yards which has them ranked 117th in the nation. They are conceding 268.0 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 64.6%. Overall, they are granting 376.5 yards per outing ranking them 101st in D-1. They have allowed 4 touchdowns by air as well as 1 touchdown running the ball. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.2 yards per rush and 108.5 rushing yards per game for the campaign. Overall, they have conceded 217 yards on the ground through 2 games. The Zips sit in 85th in D-1 when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 24.0 points per contest.

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The Golden Gophers come into this game with a record of 1-1 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Golden Gophers walked away with a loss by a score of 38-13 when they played the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Minnesota ran the ball for 0.9 yds per attempt, finishing with 13 yards on 15 carries. The Golden Gophers finished with a total of 292 yds and they ran 63 plays (4.6 yards per play). The Golden Gophers pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 72.7%, relinquishing 227 yards on 16 out of 22 through the air. Minnesota surrendered 46 run attempts for 252 yards (5.5 yards per rush).

Regarding how much they score, the Golden Gophers rank 50th in Division 1 with 36.0 points per game. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are averaging 393.5 yards per contest, which has them ranked 78th in college football. The Minnesota offense has 125 yards of penalties on 14 infractions, which ranks them 62nd in the country in terms of helping out the other team. They have thrown no interceptions while losing 1 fumble and they have been able to record 42 first downs. Over the course of the season so far, the Golden Gophers have thrown for 627 yards through the air as well as an average of 313.5 passing yards per contest, which ranks 23rd in Division 1. They are averaging 80.0 run yards per game and have run for 160 yards for the season.

The Golden Gophers are relinquishing 22.5 points per contest, which has them ranked 79th in Division 1. Minnesota has surrendered a total of 303 rushing yards (151.5 yards per game) and 2 touchdowns rushing for the campaign. They have allowed the opposition 4 touchdowns through the air in addition to 143.0 yards per game, ranking them 30th in the country. The Golden Gophers defense has participated in 111 plays, which ranks 25th in the country. They have earned 1 fumble and no picks on the season.

Who will win tonight's Zips/Golden Gophers college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Gophers -25.5

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