2011 Akron Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb
Akron really struggled last season in Rob Ianello’s first season as head coach. They tightened up at the end of the season, playing Ball State and Miami (Ohio) to close losses and beating Buffalo in the season finale to avoid a winless season. They have talent and experience deficits and have struggled to adjust to scheme changes. This season I expect them to be better suited to Ianello’s preferred style of play. They have improved their caliber of players in the last two recruiting classes. I don’t expect a drastic turnaround given the schedule, but wouldn’t be shocked if they won as many as three MAC games this season.
The Zips bring back some nice building blocks on offense including a returning starter at QB in Patrick Nicely, who is being pushed for the starting spot by junior college transfer Clayton Moore (originally signed at Ole Miss).
They lost all of their experienced running backs from last season, but return Broderick Alexander from a medical red shirt season. Jawon Chisholm had a solid spring and is expected to lead a likely committee at tailback.
Antoine Russell returns as a starter at receiver after quality freshman campaign and will be joined by Marquelo Suel, Keith Sconiers and former Penn State recruit A.J. Price. This is the second spring for most of these players and they are still fairly young and with steadier QB play and a better understanding of the offense they will likely drastically improve the overall receiving numbers from last season.
The offensive line returns three starters including both tackles. This unit struggled with depth last season and, although the top five listed lineman are all juniors or seniors, there could be a problem with depth as they will have to rely on young players to fill out the depth chart. This unit does boast 49 career starts and should improve last year’s numbers in this new offense.
Defensively the Zips return eight starters and add an impact transfer in defensive tackle Oren Wilson (Michigan State). They return seven of the eight top tacklers, all of their interceptions, and should play faster as this will be a fairly veteran group in the second season under defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove.
The defensive line loses Shawn Lemon and Almondo Sewell, but could be more athletic as a group with the addition of Wilson and junior college transfer John Griggs, who possesses solid size for a defensive end (6’5 260).
The linebackers are fast and capable in both phases and the secondary should be a strength as they return both corners and free safety Josh Richmond (49 tackles in only 7 starts last season).
Akron returns punter Zack Campbell, who was very busy last season with 81 punts for an average of 37.8 yards per punt. A.J. Fox is expected to battle T.J. Marchese for the place kicking duties. Akron loses both of the primary returners, but shouldn’t have too much trouble replacing their production as neither returner was explosive last season.
Schedule Analysis: Akron opens the season with three tough games, playing at Ohio State and Cincinnati, sandwiched around the MAC opener versus Temple in week two. VMI visits in what should be a sure non-conference win. A road trip to Eastern Michigan is winnable, which is followed by their last out of conference game versus Florida International. The Zips grab a bye and then host Ohio and Central Michigan, head to Miami (Ohio), and grab Kent State at home before closing the season at Buffalo and at Western Michigan. The toughest teams on the schedule during MAC play are spaced out nicely for the Zips and they have at least four winnable games, two at home and two on the road.
Final Record Prediction: 5-7 Overall (3-5 MAC)
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