The Akron Zips take on the UAB Blazers in Birmingham, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
UAB is favored by 10.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -425. The total is set at 55.5 points.
Here’s my Akron vs. UAB prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Akron vs UAB Prediction
- Akron vs. UAB Pick: UAB -10.5 (-115, DraftKings)
My UAB vs. Akron best bet is on the Blazers to cover as double-digit favorites. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Akron vs UAB Odds
| Akron Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -105 | 55.5 -110o / -110u | +310 |
| UAB Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -115 | 55.5 -110o / -110u | -425 |
- Akron vs UAB point spread: UAB -10.5
- Akron vs UAB over/under: 55.5 points
- Akron vs UAB moneyline: Akron +310, UAB -425
Akron vs UAB Pick, Betting Analysis
I, Michael Calabrese, of sound mind and free will, enter into a gambling pact with Trent Farris Dilfer.
Week 3 feels like a good spot to back UAB against Akron.
Part of this play is backing the sometimes-dynamic Blazers’ offense, and the other part is fading the completely dead-in-the-water Zips.
Akron has yet to score in 2025. The Zips have been outscored by 78 in back-to-back shutouts by Wyoming and Nebraska. There is no path to bowl eligibility for them. Ben Finely can’t elevate this unit on his own — in fact, he’s regressed behind a patchwork offensive line and a downgraded wide receiver corps.
Meanwhile, UAB is healthier than it’s been all season.
The defense should be focused and energized because the team needs a big statement win against an inferior opponent — the Blazers are hanging on to Bowl eligibility by a thread.
The loss against Navy was tough, but UAB did score three consecutive touchdowns in the first half en route to 24 points before halftime. Things got murky in the second half, partially because of lightning delays, which I think may have messed with young quarterback Jalen Kitna — he’s only made nine or 10 career starts.
After watching Coach Dilfer’s press conference earlier this week, I believe he feels confident in his team following a hard-nosed effort against a veteran Navy offense. The Blazers allowed 38 points, but they also had plenty of opportunities to get off the field — the effort was better than it’s been.
That’s where you’ll see the difference in this game.
UAB’s defense is healthier and improving, and it should piece together a statement effort against a worthless Akron offense.
Meanwhile, UAB's offense is decent, ranking 14th nationally in EPA per Play, and it should piece together a statement effort against an Akron defense that ranks 104th nationally in EPA per Play allowed.
The Zips should open this game up and put pressure on Finley to keep pace, which he won’t be able to do with the support system around him — Akron ranks dead last among FBS teams in Success Rate.
And for one notable betting nugget: FBS teams coming off of back-to-back shutout losses are 7-16-2 ATS in the following game.
Pick: UAB -10.5 (-115, DraftKings)
