We get one final round of midweek MACtion in Week 14, with a two-game Tuesday slate that includes the Toledo Rockets taking on the Akron Zips on the road in a game where pride is the only thing at stake.
Who will prevail? Our Toledo vs. Akron prediction dives into all the details—from the latest betting odds to what’s at stake for both programs as they navigate the final stretch of the 2024 college football season.
Toledo vs. Akron Betting Preview
All Toledo vs. Akron odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Toledo -6 - Spread
Toledo -8 - Moneyline
Toledo -290, Akron +235 - Over/Under
49 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
InfoCision Stadium | Akron, OH - Predicted Weather at Kick
32 degrees, rather cloudy, 8 mph winds - How to Watch
ESPN2
Tuesday marks the 23rd edition of the Toledo vs. Akron matchup, and while they haven’t met since 2021, the Rockets have been firing on all cylinders in recent years, winning the last four encounters. As a result, Toledo takes a 13-9 advantage into the Week 14 clash, and they’re a comfortable favorite as the teams prepare for their final game of the 2024 college football season.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
After losing to the Ohio Bobcats a week ago, Toledo has now lost four times this season as the favorite, but I don’t expect Akron to add to that number on Tuesday night. Yes, the Zips have upset the odds as an underdog once this season (against the Eastern Michigan Eagles), but they’re more likely to cover the spread (3-1 ATS in their last four) than win outright on Tuesday night.
Toledo’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, Toledo has a 66.4% chance of beating Akron on Tuesday night. Our metric has predicted a 6-6 record for the Rockets in the 2024 college football season, but if they beat the Zips in this Week 14 clash, Jason Candle’s team will end the year with an 8-4 record that includes a 5-3 conference campaign. The Rockets have already secured bowl eligibility.
Akron’s Winning Probability
Conversely, Akron has a 33.6% chance of upsetting Toledo on Tuesday night. Our metric had predicted a 3-9 campaign for the Zips in the 2024 college football season, and if they lose to the Rockets in Week 14 as projected, they’ll match that projection. Two of their three wins this season have come in-conference, the most for the program since the 2018 campaign.
Prediction for Toledo vs. Akron
Toledo and Akron will have the honor of closing midweek MACtion for the 2024 season, and in some ways, it’s been a season to forget for both teams. The Rockets have been a perennial superpower at the top of the conference in recent years but will miss out on a place in the MAC Championship Game after losing three conference games by more than two touchdowns apiece.
Meanwhile, Akron has yet to see signs of major progress under Joe Moorhead (considered a hot seat contender at multiple points this season) but has somehow put together its best season (overall and in the MAC) since 2018. Both teams have nothing but pride to play for, but who holds the advantage, where will the critical battles unfold, and can the Zips pull off a surprise?
The answer to the latter lies in whether Akron can frustrate the Toledo offense. The Rockets haven’t been firing on all cylinders this season. They’re averaging just 27.8 points per game and rank 71st nationally for scoring offense, the lowest since 2019.
Wide receiver Jerjuan Newton leads the conference in receiving touchdowns, forming a dangerous pass-catching duo with Junior Vandeross III, so they’re not lacking in playmaking talent. However, quarterback Tucker Gleason isn’t in the same ballpark as former QB Dequan Finn when it comes to creating dynamic plays off-script or even driving the ball to the deep third.
When it comes to an offensive fistfight, Toledo isn’t as well equipped as in recent years, but thankfully, their defense is still performing at a decent level. Linebackers Jackson Barrow and Daniel Bolden fly to the football with dangerous intentions and have racked up 16 tackles for loss between them. Safety Maxen Hook is one of the best defensive players in the MAC.
That is set to be the difference-maker here on Tuesday night. While the Zips have some weapons on offense, namely wide receiver Adrian Norton, they don’t have enough firepower to overcome the Toledo defense consistently. With CJ McNunnally and DB duo Devonte Golden-Nelson and Darrian Lewis, they may frustrate the Rockets but only delay the inevitable defeat.
Prediction: Toledo 30, Akron 23
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