by Akron Zips
MAC East
Coach: Joe Moorhead Second year with team
Last year’s record: 2-10
The overcast
Last year Akron once again only won 2 games during Joe Moorhead’s first season with the Zips. Akron has an estimated 41 returning players, eight on offense and seven on defense starters returning. The Zips started their season with a win against St. Francis for the home opener. This would not be a sign of things to come as they dropped their next nine games before getting a win against NIU. DJ Irons is back as QB but missed all of spring with an upper body injury. Moorhead added more depth to his lineup through the portal “The portal giveth and the portal taketh away” Said Moorhead jokingly during the MAC kickoff event. Lorenzo Lingard, a former five-star recruit from Florida joins the RB room. Akron’s last season had the worst production out of the back field as they struggled to get any rusher going outside of Irons. Daniel George and Alex Adams are the top returning WRs for Moorhead’s offense as they look to continue their all-conference production. The defense added more transfers to the list while their defensive line got a little smaller and they lost their linebacker from last season. Bubba Arslanian was granted an extra year but then decided to chase a pro career after spring ball concluded.
Dom’s Overlook
Akron is a team that is projected to finish in the bottom of the conference but could be a surprise team as they look to chase a 500 record. If Irons can be healthy and be kept off the ground with an improved offensive line, then this offense can make some major noise. Irons has a group of weapons in George, Adams, and Lingard that could rival the best in the MAC. The offensive line should be more improved after giving up around 50 sacks last season and was in the bottom for rushing yards (from RB’s). The defense should be more of the same even without Arslanian who everyone expected to play this season. I am personally excited to see how this team plays and think they will notch a few wins under their belt compared to the last few years.
2023 prediction
Akron will be a tough team to beat, last season they couldn’t finish games in which they led. As I look at their schedule I have two wins that they should obtain early in the season against Temple and Morgan St. Later in the year. Akron has a golden chance to take back the wagon wheel after multiple years of losing to their archrival Kent State. When I look at the conference, they should have a chance to compete in every conference game this season. I see this team winning five games this season as they push for a bowl game, if everything goes right. I can’t see the Zips winning less than three games this season. Look for the Zips to be a dark horse in the east. It may not look pretty but this team will fight for four quarters.
