Akron Zips vs UMass Minutemen Prediction, Odds and Best Bet for Nov. 18, 2026
UMass will beat Akron 23-20 in our Nov. 18 forecast, with the Minutemen’s 5-5 record offering the strongest reason to favor them over the 1-9 Zips. UMass plays at home, but injuries during its latest game weaken the case for backing the favorite. Neither UMass -2.5 (-111) nor the 45.5 total offers a convincing wager. The official recommendation is Pass.
Akron Zips vs UMass Minutemen prediction and best bet
The pick is UMass, with low confidence and no official wager. The difference in records favors the Minutemen as a starting point, and the supplied spread makes them a modest favorite. Those signals are enough for a narrow winner selection, but the record comparison is not a measure of how these teams match up on either side of the ball.
The main concern is the condition of the UMass offense after its Nov. 11 loss at Toledo. A quarterback injury and other personnel losses complicate any expectation of a rebound. Our UMass 23, Akron 20 projection anticipates a competitive finish; it leaves too little room to justify paying for either spread side.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Game: Akron Zips at UMass Minutemen, 2026 college football season.
Time: Nov. 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET. Covers identifies this exact matchup and kickoff time.
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network, as confirmed in UMass’s official Toledo recap.
Records: Akron Zips 1-9; UMass Minutemen 4-5.
SportsJaw odds: Akron Zips +2.5 (-117); UMass Minutemen -2.5 (-111). Moneyline: Akron Zips +112; UMass Minutemen -132. Total: Over 45.5 (-117); Under 45.5 (-127).
SportsJaw total: Over 45.5 (-106); Under 45.5 (-116). Moneyline: Akron +102; UMass -150.