Akron Zips 2022 College Football Preview
July 1, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 2-10
ATS – 5-7
There were a couple of moments last year that took away the overall STENCH of a 2-10 season. They smoked Bowling Green for the 2nd time in a row. They crushed something called Bryant and gave Western Michigan all they could handle (L 45-40). That was about it.
The TOM ARTH EXPERIENCE was mercifully brought to an end and it’ll be up to Joe Moorhead (yup, THAT Joe Moorhead) to get this program headed in the right direction.
Akron Zips 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
It was another struggle for the Zips LY as they put up fewer than 20 PPG for the 4th consecutive season (19.8, #119 FBS scoring offense). We’re hoping that we get to see what QB DJ Irons can do in a full season under center as he showed some good flashes in 2021 (8-4 TD to INT, 50+ rushing yards twice). We might even see THE UNDERCUFFLER at QB who transferred from Albany. Akron brings back just one of their top-five in terms of receiving yards from last year’s squad but TE Tristian Brank is a legit weapon (25, 269, 3 TD) and they picked up a yuuuge piece via the transfer portal in former Pitt wideout Shocky Jacques-Louis. The Zips return their top-three RBs and add former Minnesota Golden Gopher Cam Wiley to the mix. They’ve gotta find a way to protect the passer as they allowed an impossible 63 (!) SACKS in just 12G LY. The OL features a lot of experience and good size so we expect a much better performance from the big boys this year.
DEFENSE
Yikes. It was another struggle LY as the Zips allowed 467 YPG (#122 FBS) and 249 (!) of those yards came on the ground (#128). Akron brings back eight starters and nine of their top 10 (!) tacklers and that returning experience has been accented with several bodies from the transfer portal. The improved talent level and move to a 4-3 alignment should do wonders for an anemic pass rush that booked just 15 sacks in 12G LY. We especially like the look of the LB group and expect a more respectable effort on this side of the football.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s a rebuilding project but they return PK Cory Smigel who was MEH in 2021 (7-11 FG, 1-4 40+). They’re gonna miss PR/KR Michael Mathison who took a kickoff 94 yards to the CRIBBY HIZZY JIZZY WIZZY in 2021.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – After opening with something known as Saint Francis, the Zips have to go on the road and be torn to shreds for three consecutive weeks (Michigan St, Vols, Liberty). Their first two MAC games are, dare we say, “winnable” (Bowling Green, at Ohio). The final two contests are ON THE HIGHWAY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 24th – at Liberty
We hope that they have enough healthy bodies to form a roster after playing Michigan St and Tennessee. MAC play is on deck so this might not be the spot to back the road dog.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 1
Over 2.5 +120
Under 2.5 -140
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
This is a lean that you’d expect from someone who’s brain has been destroyed by blood clots via the DEATH JAB BOOSTER PROGRAM, but bear with us. Assuming they handle the kooky RED FLASH in the opener they only need to find two more wins. BG, Buffalo, EM, Buffalo, maybe Miami Ohio, are all possibilities.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Zips have been a money-burner over the L10Y as they’ve gone 45-69-3 vs Vegas (39.5%). The past three years have been particularly torturous for Akron backers (8-22, 26.7%).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
There’s definitely reason to be optimistic in Akron as the hire of Joe Moorhead will certainly result in a much better product on the field. The MAC East isn’t exactly the SEC West so it might not take the Zips too long to make a bit of noise. They’ve got an experienced and much more talented roster but they’ll need a year to get things really rolling. UPSET ALERT time for MACtion opponents as these guys won’t be a FREE SQUARE in 2022.
FEAR THE ROO!
Want more Akron football ?
WEBSITE
https://gozips.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://zipsnation.org/forums/forum/3-akron-zips-football/
NEWS
https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/university-of-akron/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2006/akron-zips