– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:50 am
2017 Football Preview – MAC – Zips
Looking for 2017 Akron Zips predictions? The Zips probably would have made a bowl game last year if it wouldn’t have been an injury at the quarterback position. They were much better then their 5-7 record said. This year they will look to rebound and make another bowl game. If Terry Bowden survives this season ( Which he should) this would be the longest he has ever stayed at one school.
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2017-18 College Football Preview – Akron Zips
Head Coach: Terry Bowden
2016 Record: 5-7
Akron Zips to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
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So can the Zips make it back to a Bowl Game? Or will they fall just short like last year?
2017 Akron Zips Predictions: Team Strengths
Quaterback Heavy: Since Terry Bowden took over, the one thing that the Akron Zips have had is good quarterback and that shouldn’t be any different this year.
Thomas Woodson was out most of the year, last year with a shoulder injury, and just started throwing again in June, but he should be ready to go when the season starts.
When he was on the field last year, he was dominant. The zips averaged 33 points per game in the seven games that he played in last year.
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Last year he threw for 2079 yards and 18 touchdowns. He took a big step forward last year on limiting turnovers. In 2015 he threw 11 touchdowns on 162 attempts. Last year he threw six interceptions on 146 attempts.
Balanced Offense: Thomas Woodson is good, but he’s not everything for the Akron Zips offense this year.
They got another year of eligibility for running back Warren Ball and he should really help elevate the running game.
He was poised for a big year last year when he went down with injury. The offensive line returns all five starters and although they have struggled at time, they are all another year older, and should be able to take a big step forward this year.
2017 Akron Zips Predictions: Team Weaknesses
No push up front: The Akron Zips had one of the best defenses two years ago, but that was a senior heavy team and last year was a rebuilding year for the defense.
Now for this team they have some pieces to build around on the defensive side of the ball, but the pass rush is going to be a problem again this year. The defense was the 114th in the nation last year and a lot of the reason was because the pass rush was struggling.
They had a hard time getting to the quarterback and I think they will have some issues sacking the quarterback again this year.
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No Easy Games: This season could really go anyway for the Akron Zips, and a lot of that has to do with the tough nature of their schedule.
They start their season by traveling to Happy Valley and taking on a Penn State team that has hopes of a National Championship.
IF they lose that game they still need to keep confidence after that game. They can’t let what happens if that game (if it’s a loss) affect the rest of the season.
Akron Zips Prediction: 8-4
With such a tough schedule there is a lot of toss up games, that the Akron Zips are going to need to win to make a run at the MAC Championship again this season.
I think that will win some games they are supposed to lose and lose some games that they should have win.
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I think they will get close to the MAC Championship game, but I think they will lose one to many games along the way and that will lead to at least a decent bowl game.
2017 Akron Zips Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 12:00 PM ET @PSU
- 9/9/17 7:30 PM ET ARPB
- 9/16/17 12:00 PM ET ISU
- 9/23/17 TBD @TROY
- 9/30/17 TBD @BGSU
- 10/7/17 3:30 PM ET BALL
- 10/14/17 3:30 PM ET @WMU
- 10/21/17 TBD @TOL
- 10/28/17 11:30 AM ET BUFF
- 11/7/17 TBD @M-OH
- 11/14/17 TBD OHIO
- 11/21/17 TBD KENT
What do you think about our 2017 Akron Zips predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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