Akron
Zips
1-5
Spread
+9.5
NCAAF Predictions
Akron Zips vs Miami (OH) RedHawks Predictions
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 3:30pm EST
@
Miami (OH)
RedHawks
Spread
-9.5
50%
50%
Spread
Akron Zips +9.5
Miami (OH) RedHawks -9.5
Moneyline
Akron Zips +280
Miami (OH) RedHawks -355
Total
Over 47.5 (-115)
Under 47.5 (-105)
Professional Picks
8 listed
Professional Picks On This Game
Garrett Perry
Total pick
Don Williams
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Benjamin Sturn
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Primetime Ryan Johnson
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Chris Cohen
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King Jon Sanderson
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Scott Steele
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Carter Stevenson
Total pick
Akron vs. Miami (OH) Prediction: Zips Can Cover 9.5 Points
Analysis updated October 17, 2026 at 8:19 AM CDT
The RedHawks have the better record, but their change at quarterback makes a double-digit margin difficult to trust.
Miami's quarterback change matters at this price
Miami (OH) enters Saturday's MAC game at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play after beating Massachusetts 20-19. Akron is 1-5 and 0-2 in the MAC, so the RedHawks deserve to be favored. Covering 9.5 points is a different question after Miami needed a one-point win in its latest game.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Miami quarterback David McComb is sidelined by injuries, leaving Caleb Heavner at quarterback. McComb has thrown for 1,121 yards and seven touchdowns in four appearances. Heavner has 329 passing yards and one touchdown across five appearances. That drop in production makes Miami -360 unappealing and weakens the case for laying 9.5 points.
Akron has a path to the cover
Akron has lost four straight, but its latest performance offers a concrete reason to consider the underdog. Brayden Roggow completed 17 of 24 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 25-23 loss to Eastern Michigan. Jordan Gant added 117 rushing yards on 22 carries. Similar production would give the Zips a chance to stay within 9.5 points.
Miami remains the likely winner because of the teams' records and home field. The wager is Akron +9.5 at low confidence, based on Miami's quarterback change and Akron's improved production in its most recent game. The available 50-50 betting split is a default figure, so it provides no useful indication of public support.
Pick
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Akron Zips +9.5