Head Coach: Joe Moorhead is entering his 3rd year with the program with a 4-20 record. It felt like there could be a breakthrough last year, but they fell short of some wins early in the year and were hit with injuries. He’s been highly regarded as one of the best play callers around. This was a huge investment by the Zips to bring him in, but so far it hasn’t taken off.
Program Outlook: Akron’s program has long struggled. They generally haven’t invested much in football but at the same time made a huge HC move and they still have a nice newer stadium. Getting past the losing reputation this program has is the biggest challenge. So far Moorhead is struggling to hit a breakthrough both 2-10 seasons have featured a lot of heartbreaking one score losses.
How does the 2024 Roster look?: Akron is toward the bottom of the MAC in contributors returning, and overall the offense really disappointed last year. Akron was selective about where they attacked the portal, they brought in Ben Finley from Cal to compete at QB, a couple former Big Ten RBs, along with receivers and a couple Olinemen. Giving the offense a jolt was clearly a priority. Akron’s defense really stepped up last season and kept them in a lot of games. There’s a lot coming back on that side of the ball. Their defense will continue to frustrate teams but the offense carries the key to improvement overall, turnover margin is another place to look at, the Zips didn’t force many turnovers but they sure loved to give it away.
Screenshot from fbschedules.com1
2024 Schedule Thoughts: As is the case for many MAC programs, Akron has 3 “buy games” which will be tough. Their conference schedule isn’t the worst but it’s not the most favorable either. This year was the introduction of the pod system and thanks to sharing a pod with Kent State and Buffalo, Akron has some winnable games built in. 4 wins is very attainable for the Zips which would at least show progress, they’ll need to make a bigger jump if they’d like to make a bowl.
Vegas Projection: Akron’s win total is set at 3.5 with the odds leaning toward the under. My biggest miss last offseason was that I absolutely loved the over for Akron only for it to not happen so I’m certainly not recommending it this time, but there’s still a path for it.
2024 Best Case: Akron finally sees everything come together. They still start 1-3 but nearly upset Rutgers and even stay competitive with South Carolina. The Zips lose a tough one on the road to Ohio but their season takes off with a win over BG after the Falcons have a rough start. They keep the momentum going by upsetting Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, winning home games over Eastern Michigan and Buffalo. Then taking down NIU during week night MACtion, then pummeling Kent State to take home the wagon wheel and clinch a winning record. The Zips lose to Toledo but that’s no bother they’re finally in a bowl, but not just any bowl they luck out and get the bid to the Bahamas Bowl, where they beat UTEP to cap off a remarkable breakthrough season.
2024 Worst Case: Akron just can’t find a breakthrough and it doesn’t happen again. The Zips are embarrassed on national TV when they barely cover the 50 point spread in the first half. It doesn’t get any better from there, they are blown out on multiple occasions and can’t even beat Colgate. The Zips limp into conference play winless, and exit in winless. Rock bottom hits when they lose 31-3 to Kent State in the Battle for the Wagon Wheel. Kent State is bowl eligible and Akron remains hopeless. Joe Moorhead has had enough and leaves for an assistant job elsewhere.
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