Akron Zips 2009 Football Betting Preview

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Akron 2008 Record: (5-7, 3-5)
Akron 2008 Bowl: none
Akron Coach: J.D. Brookhart (27-33 at Akron, 27-33 overall)
Akron Offensive Coordinator: Shane Montgomery
Akron Defensive Coordinator: Jim Fleming
Akron Returning Stats Leaders:

• Rushing: Alex Allen, RB, 152 yards
• Passing: Chris Jacquemain, QB, 2,748 yards
• Receiving: Deryn Bowser, WR, 785 yards
• Tackles: Mike Thomas, LB, 81
• Sacks: Mike Thomas, LB, 2.5
• Interceptions: Miguel Graham, CB, 3

Notable Akron Returning Players: G Zack Anderson, C Elliott Bates, WR Jeremy Bruce, S Jalil Carter, S Wayne Cobham, WR Andre Jones, DE Shawn Lemon, WR Dashan Miller, DE Almondo Sewell, G Mike Ward, OT Corey Woods

Akron Key Losses: CB Brandon Anderson, LB Kevin Grant, RB Andrew Johnson, OT Chris Kemme, RB Dennis Kennedy, DT Eric Lively, S Bryan Williams, S Doug Williams

The Zips had an up and down year in 2008. Despite a difficult non-conference schedule, they defeated Syracuse and Army on the road and were barely edged 17-15 by eventual Big East Champion Cincinnati. However, the Zips faltered down the stretch in conference, losing their final three games to fall short of bowl eligibility at 5-7. Three of the Zips’ five conference losses were decided by a touchdown or less.

This looks like a much brighter year for Akron. Their offense looks like a very strong group, led by senior quarterback Chris Jacquemain, who will be the starter for the 3rd consecutive season. Jacquemain has a senior-laden receiver corps to throw to and will play behind one of the MAC’s best offensive lines, which returns four starters from last season. The running game should also be solid, though the loss of Dennis Kennedy and his 1360 yards and 17 touchdowns to graduation will sting. However, DeVoe Torrence (former Ohio State pledge) and Dale Martin ( Louisville transfer) should be able to easily step into his place and be very productive as both are very talented athletes. Look for Akron to exceed last year’s solid 30 points per game average.

On defense, the Zips boast a strong defensive line in their 3-3-5 defense. Senior Iowa transfer Ryan Bain should be a force at nose tackle if he stays healthy as he has struggled with injuries since his arrival and junior Virginia transfer Almondo Sewell should be also be a pillar at defensive end. The Zips should also have an improved secondary, led by senior cornerback Miguel Graham (70 tackles, 3 interceptions in 2008). The major concern on defense is the loss of most of their linebackers. Junior Mike Thomas is the team’s leading returning tackler playing a hybrid outside position but the other three spots will need to be claimed for the Zips to have a truly strong defense. This is my biggest concern on the entire team.

Schedule-wise, the Zips have a tough draw from the West, drawing road trips to Central Michigan and Northern Illinois and host an improved Eastern Michigan squad. However, that means that they have three home division games, a big benefit. They also have non-conference away games with BCS foes Syracuse and Penn State and host a Big Ten team for the first time in their history when Indiana comes to town in week three. Overall, the Zips have a tough but not impossible schedule. Facing Ohio after an off week for homecoming helps and so does finishing the year with three of their final four at home. I like their multidimensional offense and their defense should be improved. Expect Akron to win their first division crown since 2005.

Akron Big Games: Sept. 19th vs. Indiana, Sept. 26th @ CMU, Oct. 10th vs. Ohio, Oct. 31st at NIU, Nov. 13th vs. Temple

Akron’s Strength:

The Zips offense has potential. Chris Jacquemain is an experienced senior quarterback who should be in for a good year. Wide receivers Deryn Bowser, Jeremy Bruce, Andre Jones and Dashan Miller are all back and those four will give Jacquemain plenty of options. Bowser caught 64 passes for 785 yards and Jones is the big play receiver who averaged 14.4 yards per catch and caught seven touchdowns last year. Those two will grab a majority of the passes, but Bruce and Miller are both experienced seniors. With four starters returning to the offensive line, Jacquemain should have plenty of time to find all of his targets. The only concern on offense is the running game. Dennis Kennedy and Andrew Johnson are both gone and those two accounted for nearly all of Akron’s ground attack. With the experienced offensive line the rushing game should be fine as long as seniors Alex Allen and Joe Tuzze are capable of carrying the load.

Akron’s Weakness:

The defense was average at best last year and ranked tenth in the conference in total yards given up. And now the Zips will have to do the work without leading tackler Kevin Grant. The secondary losses a few players as well, but the big problem last year was finding a way to get to the quarterback. The new 3-3-5 formation was supposed to help get the team into the backfield, but it did not work. The front three needs to get to the quarterback and that would allow the five in the back to do what they do best…stop the pass and intercept a few passes. The linebackers are where the biggest holes have to be filled. Mike Thomas will be the team’s leading tackler and the leader of the linebacker corps, but are sophomore Aaron Williams and linebacker Sean Fobbs ready to step into a starting role?

Our Prediction for the 2009 Zips:

Akron’s offense could be very good as long as Allen or Tuzze can effectively replace Kennedy at the running back spot. Jacquemain might not be the next great Mid-American Conference quarterback, but he is a consistent and capable passer who has plenty of experience. The defense has some big holes to fill and they have to find a way to stop the opposition on third down. They did create quite a few turnovers and that is what kept the Zips in a lot of games.

Akron Betting Odds

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