The schedules overlap enough to compare. Ohio and Akron have both played Kent State, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan in the last month, and Ohio beat all 3 while Akron lost to all 3. Ohio won those 3 games by a combined 24 points. Akron lost them by a combined 41. Most of that gap comes from Central Michigan: Ohio beat the Chippewas 31-14, and the Zips lost to them 41-17.
Stonehill35-7
Look past the streak, though, and Ohio's MAC wins have been tight. The Bobcats won 13-10 at Kent State and then held off Eastern Michigan 24-20 at home. The 48-7 and 35-7 scores came against Sacramento State and Stonehill. The defense has carried the team, allowing 14 points or fewer in 4 of the last 5 games. When Ohio's offense stalls, it's the defense that has kept the Bobcats ahead.
Akron has shown some fight. The Zips lost to Eastern Michigan by just 2 at home, a team Ohio beat by 4. They were also tied 7-7 at halftime of the 69th Wagon Wheel game at Kent State before the Golden Flashes scored 28 in the second half to win 35-20. The second half is the problem. Akron has hung around for 30 minutes and then run out of answers, and it hasn't scored more than 23 points in any of its last 5 games.
Ohio is playing for a MAC title, so a road game against a 1-7 team is one to get through without a scare. For Akron, this is a home game against the best team on its schedule. If Broughton plays and the Zips can keep it within a score into the fourth quarter, Ohio's habit of close league games makes things interesting. If not, Ohio's defense should be able to shut down what's left of Akron's offense.
