Akron Zips 2024 College Football Preview
Posted June 12, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 2-10
ATS – 5-6-1
The Zips might have had the greatest ‘2-10’ team of all-time. They were very close to pulling off a number of additional wins and they were an impossible 0-3 in overtime games (combined SEVEN periods). Five losses were decided by one score. Sadly, as one famous coach once said, “You are what your record says you are”. **
** That might have been Bill Parcells. Or maybe it was PATCHES O’HOULAHAN from the movie ‘Dodgeball’?
Akron Zips 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
The offense was so bad at times last year that it caused more PROJECTILE VOMITING than watching four minutes of the communist hags on “The View”. The Zips finished the campaign ranked #126 in the country in total offense, #128 rushing, and #97 passing. They also allowed 46 (!) sacks (#126) and had major issues converting on 3rd downs (#95). There’s some good news to report on these fine pages as the Zips bagged QB Ben Finley (Cal, NC St) to take over the starting gig and he provides instant credibility at the position. Backup Tahj Bullock is more of a runner and provides a “gadget” element to the offense. Losing #1 RB Lorenzo Lingard is a tough pill to swallow (641 rush, 38 receptions, six total TDs) but they hope that Michigan St (!) transfer Jordon Simmons can pick up where Lingard left off in 2023. The WR group takes a massive blow with the loss of their top-two WRs but note that WR Alex Adams was injured a good chunk of last season and he was very good in 2022 (855, 9 TD). Slot WR Adrian Norton looks like an emerging star and don’t sleep on Jake Newell who could give the Zips a legit target at TE. As with many teams struggling to find their way the offensive line is the primary concern on this side of the football. They’ve been building some depth in the unit but we’ll have to see how things develop over the summer months.
DEFENSE
The Zips had one of the most underrated stop units in the nation LY, and most certainly in the Group of Five. Akron was an impressive #31 in total defense, #56 vs the run, and #46 in pass efficiency D. That performance was even more impressive when you consider the lack of help from the offense. The Zips have one of the best DL/LB groups in the MAC given the return of their top-two tacklers and excellent LB duo of Bryan McCoy and Antavious Fish, and they’re also thrilled to bring back DE CJ Nunnally IV who booked seven sacks LY (#4 tackler). The secondary could be a problem area as they only return one starter from last season’s unit but our TOP SECRET AKRON INSIDERS have alerted us to a pair of talented transfers that could make a difference in safety Daymon David (Oregon) and CB Iesa Jarmon. This has the potential to be a top-five MAC defense in 2024 (LY #7 total defense, #9 scoring defense).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Akron was horrible on special teams LY (#124 per Phil Steele) and they were an ABOMINATION when it came to making FGs (9-16 as a team). Owen Wiley is likely to win the starting PK job (4-6 LY, 12-12 XP) but it’s possible that McNeese transfer Garrison Smith grabs the gig so we’ll have to see how things play out.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s gonna be tough sledding, yo. Three of their four non-conference games are road tilts vs Power 4 squads (Ohio St, Rutgers, South Carolina), and while they avoid Miami Ohio on the conference slate, they still have to face Ohio (A), Northern Illinois (A), and Toledo (H).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Ohio (Sept 28)
This will be the Zips’ fourth road game in five weeks to open the season and they’ll almost certainly be a bit worn out at this point after playing the three tough non-conference opponents noted above.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 12
Over 3.5 +140
Under 3.5 -170
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
Taking that number at ‘plus money’ isn’t the worst idea in the world. We’ll shop around for a ‘flat 3’ over the coming weeks. Maybe something in the ‘-140’ range pops up?
NOTE – “Lean” implies this is how we’d invest in this market if forced to make a choice. We’ll notify subscribers in our Season Win Total blog post of any season win totals that have made our investment card.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
In 1987, the Zips became the first team to make the move from Division 1-AA to Division 1-A (FBS). In 2005, Akron won their first and only MAC Championship.
Akron hasn’t won more than two games in a season since 2018 when they finished with a mark of 4-8.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
We fully expect the Zips to be an improved football team in 2024. The offense will have an easier time SCORING the FOOTBALL and the defense looks pretty good. The simple fact is that they aren’t far off talent-wise from any team in the MAC that isn’t named Miami Ohio or Toledo. Sadly, the schedule makes it extremely difficult to get to a bowl game, so we’ll call for three to five wins and a much more enjoyable viewing experience for Akron fans.
FEAR THE ROO, baby!