Akron Zips 2016 NCAA Football Preview
AKRON ZIPS
MACtion – East Division
2015 Record – 8-5
ATS – 8-5
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
East Division #3
Conference #7
2015 Recap
Good for Akron. They finished the regular season on a 4-game win streak and then beat Utah St in the Humanitarian Bowl to finish up 8-5. That was their first bowl win ever. Terry Bowden has done a really good job as they have steadily improved their win total under his command (1,5,5,8).
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
QB Thomas Woodson needs to improve his decision making (16 TD 11 Int) but last season he proved he is a winner. And he is a load running the football at 6-1 240. Leading rusher Conor Hundley departs but Ohio St transfer Warren Ball looks to step in and fill that role. WR Jerome Lane averaged over 20 yards per reception in 2015 and they also get the electric JoJo Natson transferring from Utah St who adds an explosive element on offense and special teams.
The offensive line is one of the most inexperienced in the FBS and the Zips are going to have to work some magic in this area if they want to return to a bowl game. Zero. Returning. Starters.
DEFENSE
The Zips featured the #1 ranked total defense in the MAC (#15 FBS) which also finished 2nd in the conference in sacks per game. They only allowed 93 (!!) yards rushing per game. However, six of the top seven tacklers from last year’s unit are gone and only four starters return overall. The positive is that the DL should still be very good and that is the straw that stirs the drink. DE Jamal Marcus returns and he had 5.5 sacks, 12.5 total TFL and 10 QB hurries in 2015. All three starting LBs will be new and only one starter is back in the secondary. There are a couple of transfers looking to make their mark and we will wait and see how it all comes together.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Their return game was awful in 2015. Hopefully JoJo Natson can add some spice. They need to find a new PK and punter. This might be a problem area for the Zips.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 4.0
MEGALOCKS says:
After a scrimmage with VMI to open the season, the Zips face Wisconsin (ouch) and Marshall on the road, followed by a home date with Appalachian St. That is a tough way to start. If they take care of business against the teams from the MAC East they have a shot of getting six wins and becoming bowl eligible again. There is even an outside shot at winning the division but it will not be easy.
Overall, we give the ZIPS a 4.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season. There is too much inexperience on the offensive line for us to feel confident about playing them against the number too often in 2016. We really like the coaching staff and the DL should be solid. They should also have more ability to stretch the field. Let’s wait unit MACtion starts on October 1st before we think about backing this team.
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