Kentucky opens as a heavy favorite vs. Akron

Vegas isn’t holding Kentucky‘s underwhelming win over EKU against the Wildcats. They’re still four-score favorites going into week three against the Akron Zips.

Opening lines are slowly starting to trickle out as the college football world moves on to next week’s slate of games. How much will Kentucky be favored by as the program looks to advance to 3-0 on the year? 24.5 points, the third consecutive game the Wildcats will open as heavy favorites.

Kentucky closed as a 25-point favorite vs. Ball State with the over/under set at 49. That was followed by a UK -35 final line and an over/under of 62.5 in week two against EKU. The Wildcats beat the spread while the over hit against the Cardinals, then missed it with the under hitting against the Colonels.

Akron sits at 1-1 on the year following a last-second win vs. Morgan State on Saturday. The Zips opened the season with a 24-21 loss at Temple.

What can fans expect next Saturday? ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Wildcats a 95.1% chance to win at home, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Akron is led by quarterbacks DJ Irons and Jeff Undercuffler Jr., who have combined for 467 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions on 66.7% passing to open the year. Drake Anderson leads the running back room with 67 yards on 13 carries, followed by Lorenzo Lingard with 48 yards on 14 carries. As for the wide receivers, Daniel George (100 yards), Lingard (98 yards), Jasaiah Gathings (91 yards) and Alex Adams (86 yards) have all been consistent contributors.

As a team, the Zips average 274.5 total yards per contest while allowing 292.0. The Wildcats are putting up 384.0 yards per game while allowing 303.0.

Akron brings out the turnover tire

The Zips aren’t known for being a powerhouse in the MAC — they’re 5-37 overall dating back to 2018. They do, however, have a viral sideline staple you really have to see to believe.

Akron is known as the Rubber City, home of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The Zips previously played in the Rubber Bowl from 1940-2008 before moving to InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field.

They may have a new home, but they’re still paying homage to the city’s calling card with a ‘Turnover Tire.’ No, not a turnover chain like other high-profile football programs. An actual tire.

That’s how the Zips celebrated their game-winning scoop-and-score with under a minute to go vs. Morgan State on Saturday.

MACTI🛞N pic.twitter.com/Vzv6tJ0WEV

— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 9, 2023

Let’s hope Akron has no reason to bring out any tires inside Kroger Field next week.