Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Previewing the Akron Game

For as good as Cincinnati was in Week 1 and the improvements they seemingly made from last season, they gave it all back in Week 2, with new questions abounding as to how good this team really is. 

A home game against Akron may not be the best indicator. 

The Zips started the year with a 42-0 loss at the hands of Ohio State and followed that up last weekend with a 41-3 drubbing by Temple. 

With the exception of Austin Peay, Akron will easily be the weakest team on the Cincinnati schedule. 

Here is a breakdown of what to expect from the Zips on both sides of the ball. 

Offense

As far as offense goes, there isn't much there for the Zips. If Cincinnati wants to prove they have gotten better on the defensive side of the ball, they must hold Akron to 10 points or less. 

Akron is currently 118th out of 120 teams in total points, including 104th in passing yards and 116th in rushing yards. 

The Cincinnati defense is much stronger at stopping the run than the pass, and Akron averages just 38.5 rushing yards per game. 

Quarterback Clayton Moore has only completed 18 of 42 passes for 236 yards on the year. 

When Akron does try to run the ball, Jawon Chrisholm will get the bulk of the carries. He has 89 yards on 25 carries for the season. 

Receiver Marquelo Suel is a long-ball threat. He has 110 yards and averages 22.0 yards per reception. 

When the Zips do throw the football, they will try to burn the Bearcats secondary deep.

Defense

Akron has no trouble giving up points—41.5 per game to be exact. That's good for 112th in the country.

Cincinnati has no problem scoring points, scoring 47.5 a game (11th in the country).

The Bearcats are also ranked 11th in the country in rushing yards, despite abandoning the run against Tennessee.

When Cincinnati does have the ball, look for Akron to try to stuff the box and stop the run.

They have had trouble doing so in their first two games, giving up 150 yards and three touchdowns to Temple running back Bernard Pierce in the second quarter alone.

The Bearcats should have no problem putting up seven or more touchdowns on the Zips defense.

Outcome

Cincinnati should have no trouble bouncing back from their Week 2 loss to Tennessee in this one. But what will it really mean if the Bearcats beat the Zips by 40 points?

This may be another laugher that will leave fans guessing heading into the pivotal Week 4 game against NC State.

Prediction: Cincinnati 49, Akron 10