Akron Zips 2025 College Football Preview
Posted June 5, 2025
2024 Recap
Record – 4-8
ATS – 6-6
“Here we go again. Again.”
<Tugg Speedman> <Scorcher VI: Global Meltdown>
The Zips had another tough year and made it seven consecutive seasons in which they couldn’t bag more than four wins. The good news is that Akron never gave up and they actually won three of their final five contests. Akron ended the campaign with a 21-14 OT win over mighty Toledo, so hopefully they can roll into 2025 with a bit of confidence.
Akron Zips 2025 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Zips were near the bottom of the MAC LY in both PPG (20.4) and YPG output (333) but it’s good to know that they come into the year with one of the most talented QBs in the conference leading the charge. Ben Finley had decent numbers given what he had to work with LY (2,604, 16-9 TD to INT) and don’t forget that he’s got some fine pedigree having previously played at NC State and California. Losing #1 RB Jordon Simmons (664, 6.0, 2 TD) to Ole Miss (!) is a KICK in the JACOBS but the Zips added a pair of talented transfers in Jordan Gant (Tenn St) and Chris Gee (Colgate) who should be able to fill the void. We’re not sure what to expect from the WR/TE corps but WR Alex Adams is a talented specimen when healthy and maybe Tim Grear Jr. (Fresno St) has some sneaky upside? TE Jake Newell is a reliable target (35 receptions LY) and that’ll make life easier for Finley. The Zips lost their fine tackle Jarvin James to Maryland but they added a few nice pieces to the offensive line and we believe the big boys will do a competent job up front. Hopefully, they can achieve consistency and allow Finley to do some damage.
DEFENSE
The stop unit struggled LY much like the offense (32.0 PPG, #10 MAC; 414 YPG, #9) and they failed to achieve significant PENETRATION (18 sacks, tied for last in the MAC). Akron will be without their top-two contributors from the 2024 squad in LB Bryan McCoy who led the team in tackles (off to Oklahoma St)(!) and sack leader EDGE CJ Nunnally (Purdue)(!). They’ve got some size in the middle of the DL thanks to bodies like Elijah Davis and the hope is that Arizona transfer Cyrus Durham can get consistent heat on the QB from the outside. It remains to be seen if LB Gage Summers can be a key piece in the middle of the defense but they’ve got a pair of talented doods on the back end in DB Justin Anderson and CB Elijah Reed. There’s potential for the defense to take a small step forward if they can find a way to cobble together more than the 18 sacks they booked in 2024.
SPECIAL TEAMS
YIKES.
Akron was brutal in the return game LY and they need to replace PK Garrison Smith who was a tidy 13/16 on FG attempts, as well as stud punter Avery Book (43.1)
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There’s a long road ahead, yo. The most likely scenario is that Akron heads into MACtion with a record of 1-3, and once they get into conference play, they’ll have to deal with three of the MAC BIG ‘UNS in Toledo (A), Miami Ohio (H), and Buffalo (A). The good news is that the final three games are all winnable (UMass, Kent St, at Bowling Green). It’s also worth noting that Akron only has one bye week. Their second “week off” is at the end of the season on November 29 which is pretty much useless.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Toledo (Sept 27)
This will be the Zips 3rd road game in four weeks and the Rockets will be looking to exact revenge after last season’s upset loss.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 5
Over 4.5 -110
Under 4.5 -110
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That looks like a fair number. It’s going to be a challenge to book more than two wins in the first seven games. On a positive note, if they can find a way to pull an upset in non-conference play (Wyoming? at UAB?) they would only need three wins in MACtion to hit the “over”.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Akron was ruled ineligible to participate in a bowl game this year due to poor academics.
The communist stronghold of Akron, Ohio boasts a very successful Minor League Baseball team called the Akron RubberDucks. who are the Double-A referral of the Cleveland Indians ****. RubberDucks is a phenomenal nickname that pays tribute to the birthplace of several legendary rubber and tire companies including Goodyear.
**** Yup, INDIANS. Karen, take it up with our legal team if you have a concern.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
HC Joe Moorhead has done a sneaky-good job with this team despite finishing with records of 4-8, 2-10, and 2-10. They’ve lost a BOATLOAD of close games over the L3Y and maybe this is the season where they turn the tables in one-score battles? They’ve got a legit QB and enough skilled offensive weaponry to make them dangerous in MAC play. It’s all gonna come down to the performance of the defense which lost some key components from last year’s squad. We anticipate four or five wins and at least one notable upset along the way. Go Zips!