The Akron Zips and Bowling Green Falcons do battle Saturday in week 5 MAC college football action from InfoCision Stadium. Bowling Green played Mississippi State in their last game. The Falcons lost that one in a blowout. As for Akron, they’re coming off a game versus Liberty. In that one the Zips also took a loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Bowling Green had a tough matchup against UCLA in their opener this year, ultimately falling in a blowout 45-17. The Falcons were much closer in game two versus Eastern Kentucky but fell in overtime 59-57. Game three was finally a win as Bowling Green took out Marshall 34-31 in OT.

In the Mississippi State game, the Falcons were down 31-7 by halftime and couldn’t make up the gap in a 45-14 loss. QB Camden Orth had 172 yards with two scores and an interception. Harold Fannin led the receivers on 49 yards and a TD on five catches.

Over on the Akron side, they had an overtime matchup in their first game of the year with a 30-23 win over St. Francis PA. The Zips were destroyed 52-0 in their second game versus Michigan State, then took another blowout loss 63-6 versus Tennessee.

In the Liberty matchup, the Zips were outscored 14-3 in the first half on the way to a 21-12 defeat. QB DJ Irons managed 269 yards with one TD and one interception. Tops in rushing was Cam Wiley with 52 yards from 12 carries.

PICK: I’m probably staying with Bowling Green but not going near this one. Both teams are coming off rough outings. The Falcons posted just 250 yards of offense against Mississippi State, with 4.4 yards per play and 13 first downs. It was probably their toughest offensive performance, and the defense continued to give up points on the other side.

That said, Akron has scored more than 12 points just once so far this season and they’ll need a big push to keep up here. I like this one to be fairly high-scoring with Bowling Green banging out a cover.