Akron Zips Season Preview

Rob Ianello is just the fourth coach in the school's history and is looking to improve from a 1-11 mark last season. Ianello is looking to become one of the few Zips coaches to ever achieve some success.

Gerry Faust became the first coach of the Zips (1986-1994), where he went 73-79-4 (14-18 MAC) counting the ’86 season when the Zips were a part of the Ohio Valley.

Lee Owens ('95-'03) was the next coach as he went just 40-61 (32-42 MAC). J.D. Brookhart was next in line and went 30-42 (22-26 MAC). However, he did become the first ever Zips coach to lead his team to a bowl game as well as their first MAC Championship in 2005!

ZIPPY!!!

The Akron Zips have had a tough stretch in recent memory. The only thing going well for them is that they have one of my favorite mascots in America.

Their mascot Zippy, is a big clumsy, kangaroo. Unfortunately, the description of their mascot is the same for the team. Akron has been arguably the least successful team in recent memory in the MAC and the stats back it up.

Akron is 6-18 in MAC play the past three seasons and 12-28 the past five seasons. Only Eastern Michigan has been worse. The Zips have been to just one bowl in the program's history of FBS Division I Football (the program started in 1987).

Play Nice(ly)

QB Patrick Nicely returns under center, but he may get beat out by Ole Miss transfer Clayton Moore. Moore is the smaller of the two with more athleticism and mobility in the pocket.

The backfield is waiting for somebody to step out. Redshirt freshman Jawon Chisholm should start and will look to improve upon an offense that ranked 119^th in total offense (268 YPG) and 101^st in rushing offense (113 YPG).

Help Is on the Way

Eight starters are back on a defense that was 99^th and 106^th in America allowing 428 YPG and 35 PPG!

The former Michigan State Spartan transfer could make a big impact in his first season. DT Oren Wilson is a beast at 6’3" 294 lbs and should be the lone enforcer on defense.

The LB unit returns all three from a season ago and Brian Wagner may only improve upon his 130 tackles! The LB has solid size, but lacks the elite speed to prevent a rushing attack from going bonkers on them.

The secondary was not much better than any unit on the team ranking 113^th against the pass allowing 264 YPG. Manley Waller (5’8" 158 lb Jr) and Anthony Holmes (6’0" 180 lb So) combined for five interceptions, but there is a huge problem when the rest of the team combined for only three more interceptions. 

Drama's Forecast

The schedule this season may be tougher than last season’s as they open up at the Horseshoe against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Follow that up with a home opener against Temple which will be tough and then throw in a road trip to Cincinnati the following week.

They could realistically start out 0-3 as they will face big ‘dogs in all three games. Ohio, Central Michigan and Miami Ohio are three more teams that will be double-digit favorites, which will put only more pressure on Zippy to get a W in the MAC.

Their final three games are against Kent State, Buffalo and Western Michigan. I would not be shocked if they find a way to avoid a winless conference season, but at the moment I just do not see it in year two of the Ianello era. Best of luck next year Zippy!

Predicted Finish: 1-11, 0-8

Predicted Bowl: None                                                              

Predicted order of finish in MAC: 13^th overall, seventh in East Division