2014-15 Football Previews – (MAC) – Zips
The Akron Zips took a huge step in the right direction in 2013. The Zips football program had been way down in the dumps. From 2010 through 2012, Akron went 1-11 in three consecutive seasons. Terry Bowden’s team jumped to five wins last season.
They were 37 point underdogs in the Big House at Ann Arbor last year, and they nearly knocked off the Wolverines. That game was a sign of the improvement to come in 2013.
Akron
Mid American Conference 2014-2015 College Football Preview- Akron Zips
Head Coach: Terry Bowden
2013 Record: 5-7
Akron Gambling Odds to win the MAC: +2,800
Season Win Total Gambling Odds: 5.5
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Akron now looks to build of last year’s turnaround as they attempt to get above the .500 mark in 2014. With 14 returning starters, the Zips coaching staff is certainly expecting precisely that out of this squad. Akron hasn’t been in the plus column in the turnover margin battle for the season since 2008. That is one big area where Akron needs to get better.
Team Strengths:
Kyle Pohl is one of the better quarterbacks in the MAC. Pohl has a strong arm and solid accuracy. He did throw ten picks to just 14 touchdowns last year, so the one thing that needs to improve is his decision making.
It’s important to remember that he was only a sophomore last year, and I expect a significant improvement in Pohl’s numbers this year.
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Pohl’s numbers should be much better when you consider the kind of talent he has at wide receiver this years. The top three receivers from last year are back, and Keith Sconiers is back from an injury. Sconiers is a play maker who will make everyone around him better. Even the running backs at Akron are very good pass catchers.
There is no shortage of weapons for Pohl to throw the ball to.
The Zips are stacked at the linebacker position. Akron returns all of their best linebackers from a year ago.
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These guys were the first, second, fourth, and sixth leading tacklers on the team. Jatavis Brown racked up 107 tackles and he is the best of the bunch. This is by far the best group of linebackers Akron has had in many years.
Team Weaknesses:
The offensive line is a question mark for Akron. The Zips have averaged less than 4 yards per carry every year since 2008.
Last year, they averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. That isn’t because Akron doesn’t have enough talent in the backfield. It’s because the offensive line isn’t opening enough holes. This unit must be better.
The glaring weakness on defense is the secondary. The Zips lost three starters from last year’s secondary, and those are guys who will be missed badly.
At this late stage, we still don’t know who the starting cornerbacks will be for Akron. That isn’t a sign of great depth for Akron, rather it’s a sign of no one stepping up at this position.
This secondary is going to give up a lot of yards against strong passing attacks.
2014-2015 Akron Zips Gambling Prediction: 6-6
Akron is a better team than they were a year ago. I like the job Bowden is doing with this program. The one major concern I see is the schedule that stands ahead of Akron. The Zips non-conference schedule includes games at Penn State, at Pittsburgh, and home against an excellent Marshall team.
I’ll call for a 6-6 record as the Zips should have some pretty good success inside the MAC.
This team is definitely on the right track.
2014 Akron Schedule
- 8/28/14 7:00 PM ET HOW
- 9/6/14 12:00 PM ET @PSU
- 9/20/14 TBD MRSH
- 9/27/14 TBD @PITT
- 10/4/14 2:00 PM ET EMU
- 10/11/14 TBD M-OH
- 10/18/14 TBD @OHIO
- 10/25/14 TBD @BALL
- 11/4/14 8:00 PM ET BGSU
- 11/11/14 8:00 PM ET @BUFF
- 11/18/14 8:00 PM ET MASS
- 11/25/14 7:00 PM ET @KENT
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