Under second-year head coach Jake Dickert, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons look to build on a successful 2025 campaign when they host the Akron Zips for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff Thursday, Sept. 3.
Wake Forest opened as a 23.5-point favorite at Kalshi but has been pushed up to -24.5 on a 48.5 total. While I'm expecting the Demon Deacons to lay the smackdown on the Zips, I'm focused on the Under in my Akron vs. Wake Forest prediction.
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Akron vs Wake Forest prediction: Under 48.5
Based on returning experience, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons' offense should start slow while the defense will hit the ground running. Wake Forest has just three returning starters on offense but nine on defense, including all four on the defensive line.
For the record, the Akron Zips have seven returning starters on offense and four on defense. But I’m not concerned with Akron’s returning production because Wake Forest is a -24.5 favorite, so Kalshi expects a one-sided game. That means the Demon Deacons will probably control the flow of this matchup.
Over the last two seasons, the Zips have been underdogs of 20 points or more five times; they averaged just 6.0 points per game in those outings. Akron was shut out in Weeks 1 and 2 last year by Wyoming (10-0) and Nebraska (68-0).
With that in mind, blowouts are where Overs go to die. Teams usually take their foot off the gas in the second half when they are up big, and the clock keeps running.
COVERS INTEL: Wake Forest's defense ranked 12th in success rate and 13th in adjusted EPA per play last season. 
Akron vs Wake Forest same-game parlay (SGP)
The Zips are just 13-35 straight up in head coach Joe Moorhead's four years in charge and 6-10 against the spread (ATS) in non-conference games. During Moorhead's tenure, the Zips are 0-9 ATS as underdogs of 23 points or more against Power 4 opponents.
Furthermore, Akron lost 42 "portal starts" this offseason and only added six, per college football analyst Phil Steele. This is a growing trend in the NIL/transfer portal era where the best players from smaller conferences get poached by bigger programs.
Since 2019, Wake Forest is 14-6 ATS as a double-digit favorite, including 2-1 ATS last year in Dickert's first season with the school. Again, I prefer the Under 48.5, but the Demon Deacons will dominate the trenches Thursday, which is the most predictive aspect of football.
Akron vs Wake Forest SGP
- Wake Forest -24.5
- Under 48.5
Akron vs Wake Forest odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Akron +24.5 (52%) | Wake Forest -24.5 (49%)
- Over/Under: Over 48.5 (51%) | Under 48.5 (50%)
- Moneyline: Akron 5% | Wake Forest 95%
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Akron vs Wake Forest weather
Temperatures are expected to be roughly 90° at kickoff with a 7.0% chance of rain in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Thursday.
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Akron vs Wake Forest trend to know
The Under is 4-0 in the Zips' last four games as a road underdog. Find more college football betting trends for Akron vs. Wake Forest.
How to watch Akron vs Wake Forest
| Location | Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC |
| Date | Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ACC Network |
Akron vs Wake Forest latest injuries
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