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Depending on who you talk to will get you wildly different views on this year’s team. I’m very bullish on Akron and think the team will take a major leap in the win column. Similar to Temple, Akron was playing their best football towards the end of last year. Even with a roster that wasn’t quite up to par with most opponents, Zips lost 5 conference games by a score (7, 6, 6, 3, 1). The major flaws were lack of pass rush (dead last in MAC play with 13 sacks), giving up sacks (last again with 36), run game (averaged less than 100 yards per game on the season) and inconsistent CB play. On the bright side, Zips led the conference in passing yards per game on offense and improved the run defense by 140 yards per game vs the previous season. Zips collected the #1 Comprehensive recruiting class in the MAC (according to Rivals) during the offseason and kept significant losses to a minimum. Outside of graduation, key losses were LB Bubba Arslanian, DT Ravontae Holt, and LT Ka’Marii Landers. The offense should be more explosive in the run game with the additions of former 5 star RB Lorenzo Lingard and Arizona transfer RB Drake Anderson, while the passing game that averaged almost 300 yards per game in conference should be just as effective. The offensive line may not be elite, but should be improved. There will be a noticeable difference in athleticism along the OL. Defensively, Zips will field a strong group of safeties and CB play will be much improved if the spring game was any indication. There is a chance all five starters in the secondary will be former P5 players. The linebacker corps is fairly young and/or inexperienced, albeit talented and physical. The DL is where most questions still remain. There was an overhaul of players this offseason, which was probably needed. Five JUCOs and three transfers were added. Another situation where the athleticism (and also length) has been improved. However, who starts there or even plays the most snaps is anyone’s guess at this point. The biggest difference between this season and last is the amount of talent throughout the roster. I would pit Akron’s depth against any other team in the MAC at this point. That may sound crazy in year 2 of Moorhead’s tenure, but the portal has opened up another avenue of flipping roster talent that wasn’t available just a few years ago. Also, a mark of a strong coaching staff is the development of players and improved performance throughout the season - something we saw from the Zips last year. To close out the season, Akron held the top rushing team in the MAC (NIU) to 89 yards rushing and followed that up by limiting Buffalo to 27 yards rushing. Most casual observers seem to have issues getting past the name on the jersey and think this will be the same ole Akron. Of course, those same observers don’t follow recruiting so that’s not a surprise. Like you mentioned, week 1 can be fluky sometimes. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out. I suspect both teams will be improved by the end of the season and it’s unlikely a loss by either side will be much of setback. On a side note, Joe Moorhead’s Fordham teams went from 6 wins in his first year to 12 in his second year. That’s FCS ball and may not directly correlate to MAC play, but does go to show Moorhead knows what it takes to drastically change the direction of a program. Looking forward to this game and hope both teams avoid any major injuries and also give the staffs significant insight that will help with the rest of the season.

Once again, @catdaddyp drops more information in an off-the-top-of-the-head post than the Akron Beacon Journal provides in a lifetime.

55, I hope you are still checking in here, and for your sake I hope that you saw through the wildly optimistic comments two of Zipsnation's members made in response to your post. The rational Nation members all recognize that the Temple football squad is head and shoulders above our team and are bracing themselves for the pasting the Owls are sure to put on them Sept. 2. I just beg of you to forgive our members who may have been just a tad overly optimistic about the Zips, and to do whatever you can to convince your team not to punish ours too badly.

Phenomenal @catdaddyp I can be guilty of homerism myself, especially at this point in the college football year, but I agree with everything said. I was also skeptical of the wins coming immediately last year, but knew of the guaranteed improvement across the board. It finally became evident in week 4 throughout the end of the year. As for this year, none of it is homerism. It’s legitimate empirical data to back up the prediction that this team will be much improved in the win column. I’m not sure how much it will be as I’m sure there will be plenty of struggles, but this is the best roster and outlook we have had in 5+ years. As with most Akron football fans, I went into the 2018 season with expectations similar to what I have now. That turned out to be foolish after such a fluky run to the title game in 2017. The 2022 Zips didn’t win the East, but they gave me far more confidence going into next season than the 2017 team did. This is now a Division 1 roster that is getting better every single day. Cannot wait for Temple. Akron football and expectations are scary. It feels good to be in this position again.

I like what I am seeing. A little sloppy and chaotic at times, but the Zips ran 11 players with every lineup variation imaginable. And I do mean running. Or at least pushing an up-tempo pace. Ali, Hunter, N.Johnson and Dawson appeared to be shooting well. The bigs are playing more away from the hoop. And besides Enrique being his usual awesome self, he hit a nice midrange. I agree with @Blue & Gold Thornton plays a nice point, but he struggled finishing at the rim yesterday. True Freshman Baker is playing great. He had a few rookie passing mistakes, but he has solid body control and footwork already. And the game doesn’t seem to be too much for him at this stage. I think it was a very successful scrimmage/team building opportunity. They all showed moments of promise over the 3 games. Disappointed that Prather Jr. and Musiime-Kamali didn’t see the court, but they were at least in attendance and in good spirits. Go Zips!!!

Nice opener ladies! New season, high hopes. Any word on how they did against the Bonnies?

2018 team started out strong with a victory over Northwestern (eventual Big Ten West Champ) but we had some injuries & Kato just never progressed, got a little chubby & lost a step, Bowden never put enough depth together, I think Moorhead has definitely filled out the roster plus a better coach so I am definitely kinda giddy about the possibilities GO ZIPS 🦘 🏈

It is injury situations for a bit of time.

Lady Zips win their season opener....on the road 3-1 at Cleveland State Rachel Wenzel, a freshman from Akron Ellet....had a goal and an assist SCORING PLAYS 3 AKRON 1 - 0 CLEVELAND STATE 19:42 Goal by Akron Morgan Pentz AKRON 1 - 1 CLEVELAND STATE 73:58 Goal by Cleveland State Erica Leinweber, assist by Mayra Sesmas. AKRON 2 - 1 CLEVELAND STATE 75:18 Goal by Akron Rachel Wenzel, assist by Caitlin Bruni. AKRON 3 - 1 CLEVELAND STATE 83:48 Goal by Akron Morgan Pentz, assist by Rachel Wenzel.

Enrique Freeman family photo

Temple fan checking in. We are looking to start the new season off right. Current coach, Stan Drayton, is fixing the wreckage left behind by former MAC NIU HC Rod Carey. Lots of newcomers and a few key players return, particularly on Defense. Our QB, EJ Warner, Son of a Kurt, had a very promising freshman campaign, stepping into the starter’s role as a true frosh. I visited 2 times during our MAC days. Lucky enough to see 2 Temple wins, a great 4th quarter comeback in the Rubber Bowl and one of the 1st games in your new stadium. I recall someone had sadly committed suicide in the stadium the night before the game. last time I looked, Temple was 9 pt favs. I tend to gamble. I don’t like tgat number from our perspective. Week 1 often favors underdogs and it seems like the Zips hung close w teams each game. I will gladly take any intel. Family has to eat….

If Bullock pans out (3 years of eligability), we may see Wasel in the portal. I would hope that Morehead can find the oportunity to give Wasel some meaningful minutes without loosing his redshirt year. Keeping both engaged this year could lead to some great competition in '24.

Hey, mind if a Temple fan chimes in here.1. Infocision is a nice stadium. Easy to get to, clean, appropriate concessions, ample toilets. Nicely designed. We have been engaged in a campus stadium debate for decades, if we build one, we agreed it should be like yours.2. $2 molson cans at bar across the street? how can you beat that to wait out a lighnting storm. Lots of friendly Akron fans and a helluva hot bartender3. I think you have faced two very good teams. I'm hoping this week to beat Penn State. There are lots to do with Temple's resurgence but here is a fact that cant be overlooked. We probably redshirted 40-50 players in the last 3 years. We never had that luxury and I clearly see how important it is. We were discussing Akron fans and I know, as a 25 year Temple fan, its very discouraging opening a season like the Zips have. I've lived it time and time again. As recently as 2005, we lost 63-16 to Arizona state then 65-0 vs Wisconsin where we never even got a 1st down. Then 3 years later we were leading UCLA at halftime in our 1st Bowl game in 30 years. I think so much of this is coaching staff. If you have the right one it can be done. If you dont, make sure your Uni doesnt waste YOUR time paying the wrong oneGood Luck beat the East, especially Ohio !

Buckzip I like and respect your posts here, but let me challenge you and the other posters who talk about the talent we have on this team. Who exactly are you talking about? Go beyond Wagner, Lemon, Nicely and a couple other frequently-heard names. I'll tell you what I see: slow, soft, small, unathletic, unintelligent players who don't match up well with solid teams and get beat play after play.I see LaFrance signaling "field goal" when the Temple kicker puts it through the Akron uprights on a kick off from the 45 after a terrible face mask penalty by the Zips on the previous play, a Temple touchdown.I see Bowser having a blast on the sideline, as the score is sliding up into the 40s and 50s for Temple, yucking it up with other offensive players as the Info now has about 1,000 people (maybe) left in the stands. Bowser is racing around as if he has no injury, Mr. Prankster and his merry bunch (including the aforementioned LaFrance) while I'm contemplating a brown bag on my head for the next game.So, someone please provide specifics regarding the "talent" that is supposedly on this team. Who will magically turn into players when JD disappears?Regarding LaFrance's mock FG gesture, I also thought it to be somewhat sickening. But where was the special teams coach grabbing him by the facemask and letting him hear about it once he got back to the sidelines? The next HC needs to run a tighter ship in that regard.As far as talent on the team, I don't see how you can leave out Almondo Sewell, who is probably the second best Zip D-Lineman in history IMHO. His game might not translate to the next level, but I'm sure EVERY MAC coach would love to have him. I would really like to see how he would perform in a 4-man front. Hazime looks like a keeper to me as well. Harvey has shown promise at 6'4" 290 LB. Jalil Carter is talented, but needs to be more consitent. The one kid who has impressed me lately is Safety Kevin Davis. This guy actually HITS coming out of the secondary (something we haven't seen since the Dwight Smith days).On offense, I believe the O-Line has enough ability that it could be overhauled rather quickly. The QB spot is a given. Alexander and Torrence have shown flushes. Beyond LaFrance, the receivers are somewhat unknown. So this needs to be an area of focus for the next guy.

in defense of nicely we have no running game.allen is not the same rb with all the injuries.tuzze is a fullback playing tb.i think our best rb torrence sat on the bench because he fumbles? i happen to see almost every skill player we had put the ball on the turf against temple.we have about six guys who can play against temple.wagner,nicely,sewell,jones,odifin,tuzze.tuzze would play on short yardage.the other players would not see the field if they played on temples team.our defensebackfield is way to small,and slow.how can you let somebody beat you deep on 3rd and long.somehow are defense gives up3rd long all the time.we lose almost all of our wr this year.we have enough talent coming back with the right coach to compete with some teams in the mac(miami, eastern, ball state,Can't,wmu, toledo ect.)the top mac teams we are along way off in terms of talent.we need to find the right coach.if that means waiting a few weeksafter the season then the zips need to do this.i hope they don't rush into hiring someone because they can take the job right away.they need to look at the top 1-aa coaches.most of the top 1-aa teams could beat the zips right now so im sure top 1-aa coaches are qualifed for the akron job.