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2009 Akron Zips NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 10, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Akron Zips 2009 Predictions The Akron Zips had a disappointing season in 2009 that landed them their third straight losing season in a row. The Zips headed into the final three games of the season with a 5-4 record, but were unable to come away with a win in each of their final three games, including a 4 overtime thriller against Buffalo at home. This year the Zips are hoping to bounce back with not only a winning season, but the schools second trip to a bowl game, as their only postseason appearance came back in 2005. This year the Zips open up their brand new stadium and welcome back 15 starters from last year, as this team gets ready for another run at the Mid-American Conference Championship.

The offense returns 9 starters to a unit that ranked 2nd in the MAC last year at 33 points a game. This unit will be led by senior quarterback Chris Jacquemain, who threw for 2,748 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. Three more seniors return at the wide receiver position, in Deryn Bowser, Jeremy Bruce, and Andre Jones, and while Bruce is a solid option, Browser and Jones are considered to be two of the top receivers in the MAC this season. The Zips did lost their top two running backs from last season in Dennis Kennedy and Andrew Johnson, but there is a lot of hype surrounding redshirt freshman DeVoe Torrence, who could emerge as one of the top backs in this conference this season. One thing in Torrence’s favor is he will be running behind a very experienced offensive line, led by seniors Zack Anderson and Elliott Bates and juniors Corey Woods and Mike Ward. Overall I think with an experience quarterback and plenty of weapons at the skill positions, the Zips should once again have one of the top offenses this season in the MAC. Bet the Zips this season at Sportsbook.com.

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The Zips have a lot more holes to fill on the defensive side of things, as they return just 6 starters on this side of the ball. Akron runs a 3-3-5 defensive scheme, and looks to be pretty strong up front with the return of junior defensive end Almondo Sewell and senior nose tackle Ryan Bain. Junior Phil Tonga is expected to start at the other end spot, and how well he plays could go a long way in this side of the ball improving from last year. At linebacker Junior Mike Thomas is the only returning starter, and he is expected to be joined by Junior Sean Fobbs and sophomore Aaron Williams. The secondary has plenty of experience with all 5 expected starters either juniors or seniors, but this unit got ripped apart last season for over 240 yards a game. The best of this bunch is senior corner Miguel Graham, who led the Zips last year with 8 pass breakups and 3 interceptions, and was also third on the team with 70 tackles. Graham won’t be able to do it alone, and a lot will be riding on the play of juniors Shawn Lemon and Diamond Weaver, as they both are expected to crack into the starting lineup this season. This unit gave up 36 points a game last season, and was the main reason this team finished under .500, but there is hope that this unit will be able to turn it around and provide more help to the offense this season. Bet the MAC this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: Tie for 2nd in MAC East. I like the Zips chances of finishing 2009 with a winning record, but I think the defense is going to keep this team from coming away with the East division title this season. Even though the Zips have home games against both Ohio and Temple this season, I still feel like they will fall just short in the East.

For those of you gearing up for your NCAA football picks this season, be sure to check back for our expert college football picks and the latest college football betting odds at Betfirms.

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