Akron Football: Nowhere to go but up for the Zips in 2020

How will Akron football fare in 2020?

If they can’t win at least one of their first two games of the season against FCS Youngstown State or against New Mexico State, Akron’s next-best chance to break their losing streak won’t come until mid-October. That puts even more pressure on the Zips to take advantage of their experience against what should be weaker Penguins and Aggies opponents.

Unlike many MAC schools, the Zips have the advantage of playing a relatively normal schedule throughout the season. Other than their Black Friday game at Ohio in the regular-season finale, every one of Akron’s games take place on Saturday this season. That should allow Arth and his staff to instill a more regular schedule throughout each week that allows Akron to maximize its opportunities.

More than marginal improvement will be necessary if Akron hopes to improve by six or more wins from their winless 2019 campaign.

What’s next for Akron football?

As long as the season kicks off on schedule, the first team up for Akron is Youngstown State. The Penguins, four years removed from their last appearance in the FCS Championship Game, were a sub-.500 team over the past three seasons. They enter 2020 with a new coaching staff after Bo Pelini left Ohio to take the LSU defensive coordinator position. Akron should be favored by at least a touchdown at home in the paycheck game against their northeastern Ohio counterparts from the FCS.

Prediction: 4-8 (1-7 MAC)

Expect Akron to open the season 2-0 before receiving a rude awakening against defending ACC champion and College Football Playoff finalist Clemson on the road in late September. The Zips will promptly start a new losing streak that extends to four games before securing a mid-October home win against independent UMass.

All told, the Zips are probably a year or two away from bowl eligibility. They will at least prove far more competitive in 2020 than they did in Arth’s first season, winning at least four games and building a foundation for 2021 and beyond.